Submitted by Devon Gosnell
Life In Our Foothills, July 2015

It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July in Columbus or our Foothills area without the annual Columbus Fabulous 4th event. This year promises to be a fun-filled and patriotic day with music performances, games, rides, food, crafts and more. Bring the whole family!

The festival officially begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4. The amusement rides will open Friday, July 3 at 5 p.m. and will run through July 4 to 10 p.m. The 4th of July ceremonies kick off at 10 a.m. with the National Anthem sung by Anita Williamson. The Kids and Family Games area will be open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and are sponsored by Crossroads Baptist church.

For the classic car enthusiast, plan to visit the show between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. East Mills St. in Columbus will be filled with food vendors, an array of crafters and vendors, plus civic and non-profit organizations.
Following the opening ceremonies, the stage will be filled with local community talent, and at high noon, the Fabulous 4th celebration will have more than an hour of veterans events to honor our service members. The American Legion and VFW of Columbus will be hosting the hour.
Our local EMS personnel and first responders will be recognized with a certificate presentation ceremony, and then throughout the afternoon and into the evening the stage will be filled with musicians and bands of all shapes and sizes playing a variety of country, rock, blues and originals.

POLK COUNTY VETERANS PRESENTATION

The Polk County Veterans presentation will take center stage from 12-1 p.m. This special time will be full of presentations and discussions concerning our service members and the organizations that support them such as the VFW and American Legion.

RIDES AND KID GAMES

The always-popular amusement rides provided by ABC Party Rentals open Friday, July 3 at 5 p.m. and finish after the fireworks on July 4. Tickets will be available for purchase the day before and day of the festival from the ride vendors on site. The Kids and Family Games share the lawn at Stearns Park, and run from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. These games are organized and sponsored once again by Crossroads Baptist Church and provide a tremendous amount of fun for everyone.

CRUISE IN CLASSIC CAR SHOW

Th is year’s car show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Gibson and Ward Streets. Th ere is no entry fee to bring your car, and door prizes will be awarded to cars voted most popular by spectators. All older and classic cars are welcome! For more information on the car show or how to join the local car club, please contact Kathy Nowakowski at 828-894-5952.

POLK COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDER RECOGNITION

Th e Polk County Law Enforcement and First Responder appreciation segment will include the various departments that support the citizens of Polk County, including the Polk County Sherriff ’s Department, the police departments of Tryon, Columbus and Saluda, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, the Polk County Communications Center, the fire departments of Tryon, Columbus, Saluda, Mill Spring, Green Creek and Sunny View, the Polk County Rescue Squad, EMS, First Responder and Emergency Management and Animal Control. •