Four years ago, there were no Fourth of July fireworks in Athens. In fact, there was no celebration at all. So, Alan Trout started the Fourth of July Committee to plan the following years' events.
As chair of the Fourth of July Committee, Trout, along with the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, plans the BOOMSDAY celebration each year.
City Council approved this year's itinerary, which includes a car show, fireworks, a parade and a 5k run.
The car show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on July 3 at the University Mall parking lot, followed by the fireworks show at 10 p.m. It will cost $5 to enter a car. There will be free soft drinks donated by Pepsi and hot dogs donated by Trout at the car show.
Lancaster's Hamburg Fireworks Displays Inc. ' despite having a warehouse fire last Thursday that destroyed two buildings ' is launching the $12,000, half-hour fireworks show. The fireworks will be set off from the edge of the Hocking River, so any spot along East State Street should offer a good view, Trout said.
Donations from local businesses and individuals are paying for the display. The city of Athens also gave $5,000 from its tourism budget for the show.
The First Annual Kenneth Kerr Memorial Fun Run will leave from the intersection of Morris Avenue and East State Street at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday. Participants can pre-register for $10 or can pay $14 on the day of the event. The parade is free and will start at 10 a.m.
Each year a different charity receives all the proceeds. This year, the money from the run and any donations received Tuesday will go to the R. Kenneth Kerr Endowment for Alcohol Education for Youth in Athens County, a group promoting alcohol education in local schools.
We just try to do a little something different every year and have a good time
Trout said. This year it's celebrating the Fourth with vintage cars and fireworks. Next year who knows?
Anyone interested in volunteering or preG
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Eva Grippa
