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Monroe primes for July 4 festival

Staff photo by Gary Stelzer Mark Bursley, owner of the Red Onion, is chairing the event.

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By Denise Wilson, Staff Writer 7:41 PM Sunday, June 21, 2009

MONROE — A bigger fireworks display and more rides for children are the most noticeable things people will see at the city’s third annual “Light Up The Sky” Independence Day celebration.

This year’s festival, which was shortened to one day instead of two as a result of a slumping economy, will run from noon to dusk Saturday, July 4, at the Monroe Community Park, 500 S. Main St.

The festival is being sponsored by the city, Beckett Construction, Vandercar, The Red Onion, MacDonald Insurance and Tan Today, organizers said.

Events are planned for the whole day including a parade, rides and games for the children, organizers said.

“There will be twice as many rides for kids,” said Mark Bursley, chairman of the event.

The event will kick off at noon with the Lil Miss and Mr. Red, White and Boom Pageant, he said.

Children must be entering kindergarten through sixth grade to participate in the pageant, organizers said.

The city’s big summer bash also will include sack races, best apple pie judging, hot dog eating and watermelon seed-spitting contests, watermelon toss and a cornhole tournament, Bursley said.

Proceeds from a ring toss will benefit Kenny Ellis, a veteran with the Monroe Fire Department, who was diagnosed last April with a brain tumor, he said.

The event also will feature multiple food vendors, including The Red Onion Cafe, Chick-Fil-A and Yardbird’s Southern BBQ.

In addition, Bursley said the event will include live music beginning at 1 p.m. with local groups performing such as the Rick House Band, ESP, Slick Affection and Perfect Brew.

The parade will begin at  5 p.m. at Heritage Green Plaza.

The night will conclude with a fireworks display.

Bursley said he expects a “bigger” fireworks display this year compared to last year since the event has been reduced to one day.

“It will come close to what some of the major cities are doing,” he said.

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