Red white and lots of boom

For those craving fireworks and live entertainment for the Fourth of July, the Shoals is offering a few options for residents and guests who plan to stay in the area for the holiday weekend.

In its 27th year, the Long Lewis Ford Spirit of Freedom celebration combines food, fun and fireworks for Independence Day to create one of the city's most anticipated events.

The event is at McFarland Park from 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday. It will include food vendors, a fireworks show and headline performances from Sean Cox, Small Town Sleeper, Kasper from the K, Landon, Dem Franchize Boyz, Steve Holy and Skid Row.

The Shoals Radio Group hosts the event and, according to Brian Rickman, regional director of programming, they wanted to create an event to bring people together.

"The main goal is to give back to the community," he said.

The group owns six radio stations with differing formats including rock, urban and country.

Rickman said another goal is to make the event more "eclectic" by combining different genres of music.

He said they wanted attendees to be able to enjoy themselves according to their tastes and interests.

"We decided we wanted to make it an event that encompassed everybody," Rickman said.

The main stage will feature the national artists, and the second stage is for local talent including Byron Green, Malcolm Singleton, Lauderdale, Sons of Howell, Pine Hill Haints, Break, John Paul White and Firewood. There also will be a classic car show for the first time.

"We don't really see a lot of national acts come through the area," Rickman said. "That's one of the big things we want to do for Spirit of Freedom."

Molly Alston, event coordinator with the Shoals Radio Group, said more people are expected to attend the event this year since fewer people are taking vacations and because it is on a Friday.

"People don't have to go to work the next day like they usually do," she said.

Alston said each year the music is the main thing that attracts the large crowds.

"We do have a good lineup of entertainment," she said. "That has been one of our largest draws."

The fireworks show, which draws crowds to the bluffs and high vantage points surrounding the park, starts at 9 p.m.

For more details, call Shoals Radio Group at 383-2525.

Town Creek's Doublehead Resort will be host to the Second Annual Star Spangled Spectacular. Country music artist Sammy Kershaw will headline the event. Other talent includes James LeBlanc, Angela Hacker and Gary Nichols.

Alicia Bates, inside sales and golf coordinator for the resort, said she hopes the event will continue throughout the years.

"It's just to give our cottage guests and the community something to look forward to," she said.

The Spectacular will include a Miss Doublehead Beauty Contest for infants through age 14, a talent show and a fireworks show.

According to Bates, last year's successful talent expo sparked this year's full talent show. The show has two divisions: a junior division for ages 12 and younger and a senior division for ages 13 and older. One winner will be selected from each division. The prize package includes a four-hour recording slot at FAME Studios.

Bates said with the economy being in bad condition, Doublehead wanted to give a family-oriented event that is still local.

She said planning for the event began last year after the first one turned out to be such a great success.

General admission at the gate is $12 for adults, $7 for children and $20 for VIP packages including seating, parking and a T-shirt.

For more information, call 685-9267 or visit doublehead.com.

Decatur's largest event, the Spirit of America Festival, is in its 42nd year and will celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and live music. The festival begins today at 4 p.m. and Friday at 9:30 a.m. at point Mallard Park. Festivities include the Miss Point Mallard Pageant, a children's bike parade, a ventriloquist show, Ping Pong Ball Drop and arts and crafts. The concert will feature Gary Preiss and 8 Mile Creek, Anna Brooke Higdon, Gary McKenzie and Reginald Jackson.

The festival will conclude with a fireworks show.

In addition, there will be a Stars and Spikes Beach Volleyball Tournament, the Spirit of America Run, ASA Softball Tournament, and the Spirit of America Golf Classic. Admission is free.

For more information about Spirit of America, call (256) 350-2028 or spiritofamericafestival.com

Joann Wilson, city hall senior aid, said the Sheffield walking parade is a time for citizens to represent their patriotism. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the public library and will march to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where attendees will engage in a prayer, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and The National Anthem.

The parade is in its seventh year, and according to Wilson it is always a "joyful time." Wilson said the city invited more than 27 Sheffield-area churches to participate. The celebration will also include a contest for the best patriotic bicycle, tricycle, wagon or costume. The parade will end with lemonade and watermelon for attendees.

"It will be a time of fellowship after the parade," Wilson said.

She said the city has asked parade participant to wear patriotic clothing with flags in tow. Wilson said the American flag plays a major role in the country's history especially on Independence Day.

"Hopefully, most residents will participate by showing their flags," she said.

For more information about the parade, call the Colbert County Tourism office at 383-0783.

Shelbia Brown can be reached at 740-5733 or shelbia.brown@timesdaily.