Published: July 02, 2009 09:47 pm      

5 hot ideas for a cool July 4

Saturday will be full of Fourth of July events including a children’s parade and ending with the big free Fourth of July Fireworks Show.

Here is a list of don’t-miss Saturday events:

1. Good Old-Fashioned Flag-Waving Children’s Fourth of July Parade & Chalk Art Contest — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parade begins at the Carnegie Building at 502 N. Queen St. Activities will follow at the Saw Mill Hollow in Old Town. The event will include free hot dogs and popsicles, Tropo the Clown, Cowboy Dan, balloon animals, Chester Mouse Show, Chalk Art Stroll and a Decorated Flip-Fop Contest.

2. Fourth of July Festivities and Pet Contest — Dogwood Trails Assisted Living, 1625 W. Spring St. Dogwood Trails Assisted Living, the Disabled American Veteran Chapter 63 and BARC, The Humane Society have events planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. BARC will be there at 10 a.m. with dogs for adoption. Come on by after the downtown parade to participate in the Pet Contest. Contest categories will be: Best Costume, Most Patriotic, Longest Tail, Shortest Dog and other categories for every type of dog.

Other activities will include cake walks, entertainment by Yesteryear, Cherokee County Cloggers, and Dogwood Squares, as well as lots of games and water fun for the kids, all free. Hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon by the slice and drinks will be sold.

A silent auction will be held with bidding ending at 3:30 p.m.. This is a fund-raiser with the proceeds going toward the purchase of a van to transport local veterans to the Temple and Waco VA clinics.

3. The YMCA Fourth of July Celebration from 4 to 9 p.m. — Free admission. Park for the fireworks and enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of the YMCA, located at 5500 N. Loop 256. Families can enjoy five large inflatables, the 30-foot climbing rock wall, walleyball, foosball, air hockey and ping pong. 

4. Free Fourth of July Fireworks presented by the City of Palestine in front of A.M. Story School, 5300 N. Loop 256. Starts at dark.

5. Classic Movies in the Park featuring the classic movie “Red Badge of Courage” starring Audie Murphey, Royal Dano and Andy Devine. The movie will be shown at Reagan Park following the fireworks display. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Donations are accepted, to benefit Pleasant Hills Children’s Home near Fairfield.