New events, traditions set for July festival

Published 12:00 am Monday, February 3, 2003

The groundhog just appeared.

And even though Independence Day seems an eternity away, organizers with this year's 18th annual July 4 celebration have already assembled a list of activities that are sure to please attendees of all ages.

This year's celebration is called &uot;Heart of America&uot; and festival Executive Director Cindy Samuel said the event takes place from July 3-5.

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The festivities start at 9:30 a.m. July 3 in the downtown area, when it hosts a downtown family day, sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association.

&uot;We have some new, creative ideas in the starting stages. There are going to be new events and contest like we do every year, without forgetting the traditions from years past,&uot; Samuel said.

Later in the afternoon, at 5:30 p.m., the eighth annual street dance will take place. Groups that are scheduled to perform include Sophisticated Swing, Wayne Renn, Paco, Panoramic Blues and Incognito. Entrance to the event is $5 and children under 10 are free with a paying adult.

Festival buttons, which are $2 and help pay for fireworks, will also be sold. Grocery shopping sprees and a new Holland grill from Bissen's will be some of the prizes featured from the drawing. The drawing will take place each night of the festival.

The Independence Day parade kicks off activities on July 4 at 11 a.m., with area children chosen as grand marshals for the parade. Various family events will take place from 1 to 10 p.m. in Horace Austin Park and along the walking path on the west side of Mill Pond will be the Walk Path of Fame.

&uot;Many fine businesses, who have donated to the festival, will be recognized on the path,&uot; Samuel said.

There will also be various tug-of-war contests and there will be free admission to the Austin Municipal Pool from 1 to 5 p.m. Pepsi will also sponsor a &uot;Survivor&uot; contest.

&uot;It's going to be impressive,&uot; Samuel said. &uot;There will be a major prize for the winner.&uot;

The Golden Duck treasure hunt is back, sponsored by Innovative Signs, Pepsi and KAUS radio. The feature band that night, from 4 to 7 p.m., is Big Carp Daddy & The Milfoil Weevils.

&uot;When you hear this group, you will not believe it,&uot; Samuel said. &uot;They are an incredible group and extremely popular in the metro area.&uot;

The annual fireworks celebration will also take place on July 4. The event will start at 9:45 p.m. around Mill Pond.

July 5 will bring the 5-mile Hog jog, Friendship Bike Ride, 3-mile Walk for Health and 25-mile Bike Race. The Hambone Blues Jam will again take place from noon to 1 a.m. in the Torge's parking lot at the Holiday Inn. In addition to the various blues artists, which can be heard all day for $5, there will also be a classic car show.

Later in the day, at 5:30 p.m., the Concert in the Park feature the Austin Community Band, whose members will be wearing the festival's commemorative shirts. Samuel said the shirts will be available to the public for $5. The Mower County Pork Producers will have their supper available to all and at 7 p.m., there will be a free ice cream social, sponsored by the Mower County Dairy Association.

A fireworks display at Bandshell Park rounds out of the festival at 9:55 p.m.

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at dan.fields@austindailyherald.com