Stan Coughlin loves the Fourth of July activities that happen every year in Austin.

He has been a volunteer for this annual event since 1986 and first became involved when he was a member of the Austin Jaycees.

"Eighteen years ago, there wasn't a lot going on in town. I helped put together a Fourth of July parade; we had 45 units the first year. People wanted something going on in town and now we have a lot," he said.

Coughlin's role in this year's event, the Heart of America Festival, is taking care of an eight-page list of activities. He works at Atofina in Blooming Prairie and takes a week's vacation to handle all of his duties. He is in charge of transportation, takes care of tables and chairs, stakes each number for the parade lineup at Wescott Field, contacts the concessionaires and much more.

"Each day of the festivities I rise at 5:30 a.m. Since I am in charge of concessions, I get to eat gratuitously. I keep my energy up all day because I love what I'm doing, my interest level is always up. My day doesn't end until after midnight, especially on the night of the street dance," he said.

Coughlin's involvement with the Fourth of July activities begins every January with the event's committee. He said that they actually start on July 5, with the planning for the following year. If any member of the Heartland of America team runs into a snag during these three day of doings, Coughlin, along with festival Executive Director Cindy Samuel, are the troubleshooters.

"I've learned to pace myself and I know what needs to be done. I have it well-rehearsed. Every year is different and new. One year we had fireworks all three nights of the celebration. We had great crowds. My favorite each year is the concert in the bandshell," Coughlin said.

The committee has learned to roll with the punches. One year, it rained on the Fourth of July and the fireworks were delayed until the next day. The crowds were larger than ever.

"People come up and ask me questions all day. I have to know what the next event in town is and tell them the best way to get to it. I'm a walking information booth," he said.