Blanding to mark Independence Day with gala celebrations

The Fourth of July will be celebrated in grand style at the annual Independence Day celebrations in Blanding.

A host of events will take place over the next several days, culminating in a full day of activities on Saturday, July 4.

The Fourth of July begins early with a 6:30 a.m. start to the 5K run, beginning at Centennial Park. Breakfast at the park will be served beginning at 7:30 a.m. and running until 8:30 a.m., when the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast program will begin.

The Independence Day parade begins at 10 a.m. followed by food, game and craft booths at Centennial Park.

There will be a pageant at 3 p.m., boxing at 5 p.m., a concert at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m.

The Edge of the Seaters company will present the annual melodrama each night at 7:30 p.m., beginning on July 1 and running through July 6. No performances of the melodrama will be held on Sunday, July 5.

See the advertisement on page 18 of this newspaper for a full schedule of events.

The annual celebration is made possible only with the dedicated service of a large group of volunteers, led this year by Chairman Jon Hunt.