The Selma Times-Journal

The “oohhs” and “ahhhs” of the crowd watching fireworks may be taking place Monday night at Memorial Stadium as Selma celebrates the Fourth of July, but they’ll be hard to hear over thunderous fireworks taking place in the sky.

The fourth annual City of Selma July 4th celebration will take place Monday night featuring 20 minutes of thundering fireworks choreographed to a patriotic concert and including a new fireworks display referred to rather mysteriously as “fuzzers.” “This show will be as good as any we’ve ever had,” said Patty Sexton, special events coordinator for the city’s Planning and Development office.

“We encourage everyone to bring their families and come out together as a community to honor those that keep us free.” In fact with Dallas County’s National Guard unit – the 122nd – stationed in Iraq, honoring those fighting overseas will be a big part of the program.

“We’re honoring families of the guard unit,” Sexton said. “It’s a great time to come out and enjoy the freedoms and liberties we have in this country and honor those that fight to keep us free.” The gates will open at 7 p.m. and patriotic music will play to help keep the crowd entertained as they wait for the 8:15 p.m. pre-fireworks show to begin.

“Proud to be an American: A Selma Celebration” will be hosted by Warren Hinson and will feature a special presentation for the 122nd, a veteran’s march, the famous community all-sing, special music from First Baptist minister the Rev. Jack Lovelace and his wife.

Tina Price of the Centre for Commerce will also have a special reading about what it means to be an American.

Once again, Sexton warned latecomers about getting stuck in their cars outside the stadium.

For the last two years, long strings of cars were still waiting to get into the parking lot when the fireworks began.

“The program starts at 8:15 and runs straight through,” Sexton said. “It’s important that people understand the gates open at 7 p.m. There’s plenty of room but you cannot really enjoy the program from outside the stadium. It is a sky concert over 20 minutes of fireworks choreographed to patriotic soundtrack plus you can’t see the set pieces and fuzzers.” Refreshments will be available and fans will be provided with fans to help beat the heat.

Chief Jimmy Martin and the Selma Police Honor Guard will do the presentation of the colors.

City Attorney Jimmy Nunn will lead the crowd in the National Anthem.

“It’s a great thing and it’s equal to any big city spectacular they will see,” Sexton said.