July 4th music, food, games planned as area residents celebrate Fourth of July


Photo /Theodosia Marina Resort A long line of golf carts ablaze with patriotic colors lines up for the annual golf cart parade at Theodosia Marina Resort. This year, the parade starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 30 with line-up at the Fort Cook office

Ozark Countians, along with family guests and tourists, will celebrate the Fourth of July in the coming days with a wide variety of colorful events around the area. The fireworks displays listed here are free and open to everyone. Some of the other activities, including games, food vendors and other fundraiser offerings, do have charges or request donations. Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

Friday, June 29
• AVA. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center in Ava for the facility’s 33rd annual Fourth of July celebration. A wide variety of food and activities will be available from local vendors. A silent auction and gun raffle will also be held. Entertainment will be provided by Color Guard, Shine, Missy Breshears, Backyard Bend, Bethany Caudill and Backyard Bluegrass. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on. A shuttle service will be provided to and from the old Murphy’s Station just off Highway 5 for overflow parking. In case of rain, the event will be held July 20.

•MOUNTAIN HOME, ARK-ANSAS. Red, White and Blue Festival activities planned from 4 to 9 p.m. See the listing for June 30, below.

Saturday, June 30
• BAKERSFIELD. Fireworks will start at dark on Saturday, June 30. Leading up to the display, a full day of fun is planned in this friendly little town. The annual Bakersfield all-class reunion will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Bakersfield School cafeteria, followed at 5 p.m. by a picnic in Pride Park. Festivities will include food, games and crafts; participants may set up stands at no charge. At dark, a lantern illumination ceremony will honor  community citizens lost during the past year. An all-town yard sale, with no permits required, will also be held. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and cameras.

• MOUNTAIN HOME. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. on the Arkansas State University campus for the  Red White and Blue Festival. Vendors and a no-charge kids zone will operate from 3 to 9 p.m., live music will be performed from 5 to 9:30 p.m., and a rodeo will start at 8 p.m. Activities will also be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 29.

• PONTIAC. Musical trio Rio will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. outdoors at Lake Bums Brewco off W Highway in Pontiac. The Firecrackers group will serve “build your own” gourmet burgers and brats to raise money for next year’s annual fireworks show at Pontiac Cove. The brewery will be open from 2 to 8 p.m.

• THEODOSIA. Fireworks will start at dark  Saturday, June 30, over Bull Shoals Lake, viewable from the campground area and adjoining Theodosia Marina Resort. Cookie’s Restaurant will be open until 9 p.m. A dog show starts at 4 p.m. at the Fort Cook office by the pool, and the 18th annual Fourth of July golf cart parade starts at the same place at 6 p.m. The popular parade will wind around the upper part of the campground and the RV park. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place as well as people’s choice. There’s no entry fee, and any smaller motorized vehicle that is not a car or truck is welcome. Contact Theodosia Marina Resort  at 417-273-4444 for more information.

Sunday, July 1
• PONTIAC. The Pontiac Price Place Volunteer Fire Department will serve a fundraiser breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, July 1, at fire station number 1 next to the post office off W Highway. The menu will include biscuits and gravy, sausage, scrambled eggs, pancakes, milk, orange juice and coffee for a $7 donation. For more information, call Sharon Davidson at 679-2252.

Tuesday, July 3
• PONTIAC. Fireworks will begin at dark on Tuesday, July 3, over Bull Shoals Lake at Pontiac Cove. The Fried and Frozen food truck will be set up beginning around 6 p.m., and Just Jackie’s restaurant will be open until 7 p.m.

Wednesday, July 4
• ROCKBRIDGE RAINBOW TROUT RANCH. Fireworks start at dark on Wednesday, July 4. The annual celebration will include a variety of fun activities and vendors from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Games and activities, such as corral pony rides, face painting and kids fishing, will cost 50 cents to $2; a free petting zoo will also be offered. The restaurant will be open for dinner, and picnic-style concessions will be available for purchase outdoors by the grist mill.  Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to sit by Spring Creek and watch the fireworks. In case of rain, the event will be held Saturday, July 7.

Saturday, July 7
• PONTIAC. Mike MacPherson will perform music from 6 to 8 p.m. outdoors at Lake Bums Brewco off W Highway. The Firecrackers group will serve smoked briskey, cole slaw and chips to raise money for next year’s fireworks display in Pontiac Cove. The brewery will be open from 2 to 8 p.m.

• THORNFIELD.  The Thornfield House of Prayer will host an evening of fun, food and fireworks beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 7, in the park adjoining the church. Games and music are planned, and hotdogs will be served. Everything is free. The House of Prayer is 6 miles south of Wasola on Highway 95. For more information, call pastor Stan Collins at 417-989-0027.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423