Austin Daily Herald

Mark your calendars, as it's only three weeks to the 17th Annual Austin Community Festival, 2002. As the excitement mounts for the four-day event, beginning July 4, and concluding July 7, residents won't want to miss a minute of this gala festival. The Festival Board of Directors has put together an outstanding array of games, contests, stage entertainment, and tributes that will be awe-inspiring, all for community friends and visitors alike.

The focus this year is on "American Heroes", the official Grand Marshals during the Independence Day Parade, and special salutes on July 4 and July 7.

Private seating for American Veterans during the Independence Day Parade will be located at Motor Supply parking lot, 507 1st St. NW, with Freedom Hosts and Hostesses presenting each hero with an American flag. There will also be contingents of Boy and Girl Scouts presenting the flags of countries that lost loved ones during the event of Sept. 11, along with Austin National Guard honoring our American flag. It's all happening during Concert In The Park, July 7 at Bandshell Park.

Have your appetite ready for outstanding food favorites and be ready to go, go, go with a selection of family fun second to none, which is all made possible by hundreds of businesses that sponsor various events … and, of course, the volunteers who make certain you and your family are having a good time

There's something for all ages at the festival.

July 4 - Independence Day Parade at 11 a.m., then onto Horace Austin Park from 1 to 10 p.m. with games and contests. Here's just a few: Water Wars, Gelatin Jump, Freedom Frog Bog, Freedom Joust, Face Painting, Ridiculous Relays, Canoe Sprint, Freedom Fishing Contest, Firefighters Freedom Challenge.

A special visitor, Dora The Explorer, is traveling all the way to Austin just to meet and greet Austin's little ones!

At 10:45 p.m., a fireworks display will take place.

July 5 - Come on down to Downtown Austin Family Day - from 9:30 a.m. to 4: p.m.

A traditional favorite is the kiddie parade, and of course, stage entertainment by local talents, games for the family, foods galore

and Freedom Fest T-shirts, Buttons and Bows for sale, proceeds of Festival items to our community fireworks displays-July 4 and 7.

Street Dance entertainment begins at 8:00 p.m.-gates open at 7:30 p.m.- beer garden, food extravaganza.

Sign up for prize drawings and let us entertain you.

Only $5.00 (under 10 FREE with paid adult).

High energy with performers &uot;Chace Roberts&uot;, &uot;Robin Breeze&uot;, &uot;Fat Rudy&uot; and the &uot;Radio Cats&uot;!!!

July 6 - Country Comes To Town-all new- cherish the days of yesteryear with cotton candy, carmel apples, popcorn, lemonade, old-fashioned root beer, country fried chicken, baked beans, cold slaw, whole hog roast, strolling fiddlers, life-sized puppets, hot air balloon rides, Picnic Pantry's Country Cooks…and how about country games and country memories…

Ag Olympics, Bingo, Milk Bottle Toss, Huck Finn's Fishing Cabin, Apple Bob, Sack Races, Cake Walk, Pie Eating, Pony Rides, Covered Wagon Journeys and Horseshoe Tournaments.

Oh, yes, don't forget the Chmielewski Fund Band, Bear Creek Band and Strictly Instrumental on stage from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m….then get ready, you could be the lucky winner of a Trip For Two to the Grand Ol' Opry, Nashville.

D.J., Scott Soderberg will announce this all-American getaway, and the names of the lucky twosome.

Another outstanding NEW gig is the Hambone Blues Jam, this year at the Holiday Inn and Torge's-outdoor and indoor jams, beer garden-bring your lawn chair…we'll have you singin' the blues…you won't want to miss this one.

12:00 noon to 1:00 a.m.-$5.00 for all-day pass (12 and under FREE with paid adult).

Hey!

Don't forget to call the Chamber at 437-4561 and say &uot;I'm Proud To Be An American&uot; and that you want to join us during the first ever:

&uot;Americans Standing Together March&uot;-a tribute to our Grand Marshals, led by the all new Freedom Fest Marching Band…it happens July 7, call the Festival Office for more information!!

We bid farewell to Festival, 2002, at Bandshell Park…it all begins at 5:30 p.m.

An evening under the stars, remembering and reflecting-memories you will treasure for years to come…truly an American inspiration.

A FIREWORKS flourish will say good-bye until next year!

It doesn't get any better than this!

For event and registration information call 437-3448 or e-mail: spamtown@smig.net.

See you in July!!