The Selma Times-Journal

Tricycles, bicycles, wagons and fireworks will all have one thing in common on July 1. They’ll all be included in the first annual City of Valley Grande Independence Day Celebration to be held at Valley Grande Baptist Church.

The celebration will begin at 4 p.m. and will end at 9 p.m. with a fireworks extravaganza. The fireworks will be 30-45 minutes long.

According to councilwoman Donna Downs, it was the city council’s idea to have the event, and they hope to continue it every year. Everyone in the community and the surrounding cities are invited to come.

The Day will have a children’s parade, which will include bicycles, tricycles and wagons. The children, 10-years-old and younger, taking part in the parade may decorate their rides in Independence Day decorations.

Games will be offered at the event and will include, Pick a Duck, bean toss, sack race, tug of war, water throw and many others. The games will vary in cost from 25 cents to a dollar to play. The water throw will be conducted by several of the city political officials. They will take turns running the water throw throughout the day, and a schedule for that particular event will be released later on. Officials that have committed to help with the event already include Sheriff Harris Huffman, Mayor Tom Lee, Kim Ballard, Brock Wells and Commissioner Roy Moore. Downs said that they are still in the process of locating other workers for this event, if anyone is interested.

Inside the church, there will be Christian music playing and outside the church, the community will be serenaded by a band, and a D.J. will also be on hand. Local Ken Scott will be at the event, providing entertainment with his model airplanes.

The Selma Animal Shelter will bring pets to the event in the hopes of finding them a good home. Hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks, watermelons and sno cones can be purchased at the event for a price.

“We don’t want any liquor brought to this event and all pets that are brought must be on a leash,” Downs said. “We hope to continue this event next year also, and maybe we’ll have bigger and better stuff by then. Everyone’s invited to come out and enjoy.”