Local Weather Forecast
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Complete Forecast for  Sep 07 2008

TOP JOBS

By ASHLIE OSBURN
Staff Writer

Tyler Jaycees are planning Tyler’s 45th annual Independence Day celebration, which includes the largest fireworks show ever displayed, at Lindsey Park beginning at 9:15 p.m.

Among the display is a 16-inch explosive that causes a display about 1,600 to 1,800 feet in diameter, and about 1,600 feet high, said Tom Tierce, fireworks contractor with Atlas Enterprises.

“That 16-inch shell is relatively large in size, and I don’t know of anyone else in the state that will have one this big,” Tierce said.

He said that, out of the 75 to 100 Texas shows contracted through Atlas Enterprises, Tyler’s display is set to be the largest, with close to 200 shots fired in the finale.

To complement the patriotic theme, military branches are scheduled to conduct a flag-raising ceremony to initiate the fireworks show.

Lindsey Park will open at 4 p.m. for activities, while the fireworks show is scheduled for about 9:15 p.m. Admission is $10 per car and $20 per recreational vehicle.

No alcohol, smoking or weapons are allowed in the park.

According to police officials, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tyler Police Depart-ment will close all eastbound traffic on Spur 364 at Loop 323, and the right lane of southbound traffic between Loop 323 and Greenbriar Road.

Only citizens residing off Spur 364 between Loop 323 and Greenbriar Road will be allowed to travel westbound on Spur 364 after providing proof of residency.

Following the event, the two left turn lanes eastbound on Highway 31 at Loop 323 will be closed. Officers directing traffic will not allow left turns north onto Loop 323 from the eastbound lanes of Highway 31.

The city of Bullard plans to kick off Independence Day celebrations at 7:30 p.m. at Bullard High School.

Food, entertainment and a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. are only a few activities available throu-ghout the evening.

City officials are set to raffle off 40 to 45 items including a helicopter ride, free pizza for a year, a three-hour Hummer limousine ride, a Wii game console and an aboveground pool, said Larry Morgan, city manager

Entertainment includes performances by Lauren Alexander, Nancy Caven-der and other local talents, he said.

All proceeds benefit Bullard’s O.L. Ferrell Park. Admission is free and open to the public.

Knollwood Subdivision’s 13th annual July 4 parade is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday at 14964 Northwood Dr.

Flint-Gresham Volun-teer Fire Department is scheduled to bring an ambulance, fire and hazard truck to lead the parade, followed by participants clad in patriotic apparel, parade coordinator Diane Knowles said.

Cookies, lemonade and face painting will be available to children along with the opportunity to glimpse emergency vehicles up close, she said.

The celebration is free and open to the public.

The Lake Jacksonville Association’s July 4 celebration begins at 4 p.m. with an expected 30-minute fireworks display starting around 9:15 p.m.

Although the best view is from a boat on the water, two concession areas are available for participants to watch the display, said Marlene Jowell, Lake Jacksonville Association’s secretary.

“This should be the biggest and best fireworks show we’ve ever had,” Mrs. Jowell said. “We were able to expand the show by 15 percent this year.”

She said patriotic music will accompany the colorful display to further convey the theme.

Other festivities include a volleyball tournament beginning at 10 a.m. with musical entertainment starting at 6 p.m., project coordinator Laura Battle said.

The Jacksonville Rodeo Association and Boogie Butt Productions are providing entertainment, including local bands Everly, Sweet Pain, Nearly There and Backseat Molly, said Ms. Battle.

Admission is free and open to the public, but parking is limited.

For more information about the volleyball tournament contact Shane Lackey at 903-539-0912.

A fireworks display is scheduled after a 7:05 p.m. baseball game between Kilgore’s wooden bat collegiate league, the East Texas Pump Jacks, and the McKinney Marshals, located in Driller Park, chamber of commerce member Carol Hinton said.

The League of Business Owners is organizing this year’s fireworks celebration for July 3 at 9:30 p.m. in the Longview Fair-grounds Complex.

The league sold advertising packages starting from $100 to $1,000 to watch the display from inside the fairgrounds. Participants can purchase $100 car passes upon entering the complex, said League of Business Owners Chairman C. Kyle Smith.

Fairground gates open at 7:30 p.m. where refreshments and live entertainment will be provided for participants inside the complex.

A flag-raising and rifle volley is also scheduled to be held within the fairgrounds.

Radio station KYKX 105.7 FM will accompany the 30-minute display with patriotic music, Smith said.

Citizens not wishing to purchase sponsored car passes are allowed to park at designated parking lots to enjoy the show, Smith said.

Ben Wheeler officials plan to hold a Fourth of July celebration from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday at the “front porch” stage behind the fire department on FM 773.

Festivities include musical entertainment, activities for children and an antique tractor show. Free hot dogs, soft drinks, watermelon and ice cream will be available while supplies last. Musicians include Mike Morgan and the Crawl, Karl Berkebile, WhiskeyFish, Bob Maul-din and Texas Dirt.

Canton is set to hold July 4 festivities at 10 a.m. with a parade along with activities at the square downtown, live music and a fireworks display.

The display is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. at the west gate of First Monday trade grounds.

A parade is set to begin at the First Baptist Church and is open to the public to join in.

Active-duty military personnel will be honored by “A Salute to the Men & Women of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.”

Bob Mauldin, C.J. White and Cheyane Smith are scheduled to perform following the parade. Concert tickets are $20 each.

For ticket information, call 903-567-5566.