July 4th still a blast

The Pride of Pike festival has a new sponsor this year, but county residents can still enjoy a fireworks extravaganza and a family-friendly event celebrating Independence Day.Pride of Pike 2009 is being hosted by the Pike parks and recreation authority. The chamber of commerce, the previous host, decided in March to dump the July 4 festival due to the cost amid the current depressed economic climate. The authority then took over the event.Larry Moss, athletic coordinator, says Pride of Pike offers residents a chance to enjoy a quality festival while staying close to home.’We hope they want to come out to the park and save some money by staying near home,’ Moss said.The festival will run from 4-11 p.m Saturday, July 4, at the soccer complex on Twin Oaks Road. Parking will be $5 per car.The event will include music, games for the children, food, arts and crafts. There will also be a train ride along the walking trail at the soccer complex.The event’s highlight is expected to be the fireworks display that will start when darkness falls at about 9 p.m. Moss suggests bringing lawn chairs and a blanket for enjoying the music and watching the fireworks show.This is the entertainment schedule: 5 p.m. Zebulon Dance Academy; 5:30 p.m. Dance Connection; 6:15 p.m. a choir to be announced; 7 p.m. Eli Ingram; 7:30 p.m. Ben Ratliff Band; 8:30 p.m. Timi Webb (concluding with The Star Spangled Banner at the start of the fireworks); 9 p.m. fireworks show; and 11 p.m. Ben Ratliff Band.Call the recreation authority at 770-567-2027 for information or visit its website at www.eteamz.com/pikecorec.Independence Day festivities will be launched with the eighth annual Fourth of July Parade sponsored by the Pike County Emergency Service Auxiliary. The parade will step off at the primary school on Highway 19 in Zebulon before heading north to Williamson-Zebulon Road, then to County Farm Road. The parade will end at the recreation center, site of the Pride of Pike festivities.The parade theme this year is ‘Back in the Day.’ The grand marshals are three families who are ‘deep-rooted Pike countians,’ said organizer Teri Totten. She noted the organizers selected a few representative families from among many historical families in the area.Organizers are still accepting parade participants. Any businesses, community groups, civic groups, churches, youth organizations or school groups should register as soon as possible to get a slot in the parade. Call Totten at 770-567-5191 to register or to get additional information.