Once again the City of Valley Grande is getting ready to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day with their usual flare. Every year it gets a little better and this year is no exception. Council Woman Donna Downs is heading up this event for the ninth year in a row. The evening begins at 5:00 PM and ends at 9:00 PM with the fireworks show.

It promises to be a great evening of food, fun, and fireworks for the whole family. Various groups are joining together to provide food and entertainment.

Praise Park Nazarene is in charge of games this year.

Living Waters Worship Center is assisting them. Games to play this year are, Ducks, Bean Bag Toss, Ring Toss, Bowling, Pop a Balloon, Ski Ball, Shoot a Monkey, Milk Jug Throw, Plinko, Fat Cats, Football Throw, Bubbles, Treasure Hunt, and Tic-Tac-Toe. New and returning inflatables include; Sports Arena fun slide, Castle Bounce, a 28 feet long Tropical Slide that is 18 feet tall, and a 32 feet Dolphin Water slide that is 15 feet tall.

Numerous civic leaders, pastors and community businessmen will “Serve Time” in the dunking booth. Mayor Wayne Labbe will be coordinating the “watermelon seed-spitting contest.”

Food is always a highlight of the evening. Old and new vendors are once again providing food fit for a king. Praise Park will once again be making sno-cones. Gateway church is offering hamburgers, hotdogs, Crown Chicken, corn dogs, chili & cheese fries, nachos, pickles, peanuts, and popcorn. EvMarie’s will be serving up cupcakes and teacakes.

Herman Williams is selling BBQ ribs and pulled pork. “Crimestoppers” is having their “6th Annual Billy Atchison Memorial Fish Fry” at the park. Meals are available for $8.00.

Games and food concessions are available from 5:00 until 8:00 PM.

A part of the festivities also include a homemade ice cream contest. Your favorite recipe can be mixed up at home but must be brought to the park and frozen there. Judges will determine the winner. Samples will abound.

No celebration is complete without fireworks. Every year the city puts on a program that is amazing. George Henry and WHBB will provide a musical background to the show. It begins at 9:00 PM. Thanks to Donna Downs, Valley Grande’s Independence Day celebration is the highlight of the year for our community. It grows every year and the crowds get larger.

If your family is looking for a great way to wind down the fourth, come to the walking trail in Valley Grande. The best way I can describe it is to say this celebration is “Simply Beautiful.”