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The Town of Columbus is celebrating its 60th year of the Fabulous 4th of July Festival, offering a day full of music and entertainment for everyone, on Tuesday, July 4th. The planning committee has scheduled performances and events for the whole family. The day is filled with music, free bouncy houses and games for kids, food, crafts, vendors, an Antique Car Show, fireworks and more!

The 4th of July committee is inviting all local handmade arts and crafters to attend and sell their wares at the celebration and is very excited to enlist locals to share their unique line of art products with the community. The booth fee for the day has been reduced to $25. For more information, please see the Town of Columbus website www.columbusnc.com and click on the 4th of July link for a vendor packet or contact the town office at (828) 894-8236.

The 4th of July kicks off at 10 a.m. with the opening ceremony including the presentation of the colors by the Polk County Honor Guard, followed by the National Anthem sung by Anita Williamson and opening remarks by the Columbus Mayor Pat McCool. The stage will be filled with local community talent beginning at 10:10 a.m. with Trakas, Moore & Jenkins performing mountain music and at 11 a.m. with the Carolina Bluesman Patrick Ballard performing guitar blues, patriotic songs and favorite banjo tunes.

The Antique Car Show will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Gibson St. adjacent to the courthouse. The event is sponsored by the Little Detroit Car Club of the Great Smoky Mountain Region Car Club. People’s choice awards will be presented at 2 p.m. Stop by during the day and vote for your favorite antique classic car.

Kid’s games will be set up on the lawn of Stearn’s Park and will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The family fun and games will include a dunking booth, kid’s water games and more sponsored by Crossroads Baptist Church.

The Fabulous 4th Festival will not have traditional carnival rides due to the ride vendor selling the company. In place of the rides, Stearn’s Park will be filled with fun and colorful kid’s bouncy houses including a huge slide, obstacle course and more. The bouncy houses will have free admission for everyone. The bouncy houses will be open on Tuesday, July 4th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. They will not be open on Monday evening, July 3rd.

The Polk County Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with local Polk County and 1776 revolutionary era history information, offering a nice break from the heat. 

The Veteran’s Hour will run from 12 to 1 p.m. on the stage and will include presentations by members of the American Legion and the VFW. Patriotic songs, music and presentations will lift your spirit with pride.

Talented singers performing pop, rock and roll and country will fill the stage from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Beginning at 1 p.m. Michael Crisp will sing and play guitar to your favorite oldies and contemporary music. At 2:30 p.m., Jennifer Allsbrook will be singing and playing guitar to favorite and contemporary rock tunes. 

Bands will begin at 4 p.m. playing a variety blues, country, rock, and originals. At 4 p.m. Fifty Up will be performing classic rock and roll favorites. Red Dog and Friends will perform at 5:30 p.m. with their unique sound of blues, rock and jazzy swirl. At 7 p.m. Misdemeanor with John Edney will perform their charged set of southern rock, funk, blues and soul hits. At 8:30 p.m. Silver Travis will perform their exciting set of classic rock and originals.

At 9:45 p.m., the Star Spangled Banner will be performed by the Silver Travis band followed immediately by the launching of the spectacular 20-minute fireworks show!

Come out and share in the family fun at the Hometown Fabulous 4th of July 60th celebration in Columbus!

 

Submitted by Lisa Krolak