Many events are planned for the July 4 weekend in Kosciusko County.
Warsaw and Winona Lake – Fireworks at dusk over Winona Lake are Saturday. A cutie contest will be at the Winona Lake Senior Center Saturday. The prince and princess contest for ages 3 and 4 is at 2 p.m. with registration at 1:30 p.m. The king and queen contest for ages 5 and 6 is at 3 p.m. with a 2:30 p.m. registration.
A parade is Saturday with lineup at 5:15 p.m. and the parade beginning at 6 p.m. The parade theme is Board Games and parade awards will be given at 6:45 p.m.
There will be free blow-up games from 5 to 9 p.m. and a live DJ will perform from 5 to 9 p.m.
Christian Performing Artist Fellowship MasterWorks Patriotic Pops Concert will be at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Hillside Amphitheater.
Chapman Lake Fireworks are Saturday at dusk on the lake.
On Sunday, a Flotilla Boat Parade at the Winona Lake shoreline will start at 8:30 p.m.
North Webster – fireworks Friday over Webster Lake.
Syracuse – fireworks Friday at dusk at Lakeside Park.
Lake Wawasee fireworks Saturday at dusk.
Nappanee- fireworks Saturday at 10 p.m. at Stauffer Park.
Lake Tippecanoe – fireworks Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
Akron – fireworks Saturday at 10 p.m. at Pike Memorial Park. Third annual Coney Fest and Silent Auction Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Akron Park Pavilion. Auction from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be coney dogs, chips and drinks. Auction items include toys, tools, oil changes, beauty baskets and hotel stays. All proceeds go to help purchase supplies and equipment.
North Manchester- The evening kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday with music by JP Freeman’s 4th and Walnut cover band, presenting The Eel River Rambler Show with a variety of musicians, genres and instruments for the whole family.
Around 8 p.m., university President Dave McFadden provides the welcome and introduces Rodney Funk, a U.S. Navy veteran who received the Cuban Expeditionary medal for his involvement in the Cuban blockade. He will speak about what it means to be a veteran. After a patriotic performance by the Manchester Civic Band conducted by Reggie Smith, MU junior Tiana Maclin will perform the national anthem before the fireworks show.
North Manchester firefighters will light up the sky at 10 p.m. on the east end of the MU campus. The soccer field bleachers are a good spot for viewing the fireworks, but arrive early, because they fill up quickly.
Free activities include cornhole, kites, chalk drawing and face painting. Glow sticks are provided by Timbercrest Senior Living Community. The Rotary Club of North Manchester will sell $1 hot dogs, popcorn, water and pop to raise funds for community service programs.
Guests will want to bring lawn chairs or blankets for the band concert next to the Physical Education and Recreation Center.
For the safety of guests and campus, sparklers and other personal fireworks are not permitted. Tobacco products and alcohol are also prohibited.
The rain date is Sunday, same time and place.
(Story By The Times Union)
