Vintage cars cruised down Main Street in Wilmore during the 2010 Festival of the Fourth. (Journal file photo / July 4, 2010) |
While most people are taking the day off for the July Fourth holiday, the downtown area of Wilmore will be bustling with activity and excitement early Monday morning as city officials set up for the town’s Independence Day festivities. For more than 20 years, Wilmore has been Jessamine County’s hub for the holiday.
Wilmore’s Festival of the Fourth kicked off last Saturday with the RJ Corman Annual Festival of the Fourth Run, when 114 people participated in a 5K race around the town. It will also continue on Saturday, July 9, with the Wilmore Hometown Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone wanting to participate has until noon July 1 to call Wilmore City Hall and pay $5 to get on the list.
The main activities will happen Monday, though.
A parade on Main Street will begin at 10 a.m. featuring floats and bicyclers, as well as entertainment by the Wilmore Lawn-Mower Brigade.
Immediately following the parade, at approximately 11 a.m., the festivities will move to the Wilmore campground, now owned by Confrontation Point Ministries. Crafters will have booths set up around the campground. Children in first through fifth grades can participate in a spelling bee in the afternoon. Adults can enter a “Best Apple Pie” contest, and youth under the age of 16 can compete in a “Best Brownies” contest. Families can also play games, browse through the children’s book sale in the tabernacle building and eat some tasty treats.
“The 20-cent hot dogs are without a doubt a big crowd pleaser,” said Amy Fitch, director of Wilmore Parks and Recreation. “You really don’t want to miss them.”
For a complete schedule of events, visit www.wilmore.org/events/fourth.html. Fitch suggests everyone try to walk to the festival if they can, or park at Wilmore Elementary School and walk downtown from there. For more information about the event, contact the Wilmore Parks and Recreation Department at 858-9031, or send questions via e-mail to wilmoreparks@gmail.com.
Fireworks display
Jessamine Countians can view fireworks starting around 10 p.m. Monday night across from the RJ Corman property, vice president for strategic planning and development Noel Rush said Wednesday. Corman will host a company picnic for all of his employees earlier in the day at his home, but the public is invited to view the fireworks later that night.
Parking is permitted on the property across from Corman’s home, adjacent to the runway, on Jessamine Station Road. Police will be there to help direct traffic and parking starting at 6 p.m., Rush said.
The Journal will update its website (www.jessaminejournal.com) with additional information as it becomes available.
