The greater Moapa Valley community will be holding its annual Independence Day Celebration next Thursday, July 4 at the Logandale Fairgrounds.
Organizers have been working hard this year to involve the members of the community in the preparations, fundraising and activities on the day of the celebration.
“This year the community has kind of taken it back again as a community event,” said Lori Houston one of the organizers.
Over the past two years, much of the planning and volunteering had been done by the local Parks and Rec staff.
“The county staff is still involved in it,” Houston added. “They are great! But they had found that volunteers were in short supply. And so we have been working at taking it back and making it a true community effort again.”
A whole lineup of festivities are planned for the holiday.
It will start at 7:00 a.m. with a flagraising ceremony presented by local veterans organizations.
This will be followed by a pancake breakfast provided and served up by the Moapa Valley Rotary Club starting at 7:30.
Activities and games for the whole family will follow at about 9:00 a.m.. This year each of the activities will be sponsored by a local business. The Candy Grab is being sponsored by Farmers Insurance Alsum Agency. Other games and activities will be provided by Cal’s Repair Shop, Simplot Silica and Farmers Insurance Alsum Agency.
The Fire Department Water Fight will start at about 10:30 a.m. and will be done by Volunteer Fire Stations 72, 73 and 74.
At 11:00 a watermelon bust will be provided by the local July 4th Committee and the Metro Police Northeast Resident Section.
The evening activities will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a dinner provided by the Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce. This year the community will miss Logandale resident Dennis Freeman who used to masterfully pit barbecue the meat for the dinner. Freeman passed away earlier this year. But his sons have decided to carry on the tradition that their father loved for so many years. So the Moapa Valley will enjoy the delicious meal that it has learned to love.
A flag retreat ceremony will be performed by local veterans at 6:30 p.m.
Live music will be provided by the band Closure starting at 6:45 p.m.
At 8:30 p.m. the July 4th Committee will be presenting a number of special awards to community members. Logandale resident Ron Dalley will give a brief speech; a tribute to the Flag. And finally, the National Anthem will be performed at about 9:00 p.m.
Then at 9:15 the fireworks display will commence.
Fundraising efforts are still going on for the big fireworks show. Donations can be made at Lin’s Marketplace in Overton, Alsum Insurance and Cal’s Repair Shop.
The 2013 July 4th t-shirts are also available for purchase at Lin’s for a $10 donation.
Houston said that she has been overwhelmed with the support from the community this year.
“I am more than ever, proud to be a member of this community,” Houston said.
She sends out special thanks to the Moapa Valley Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Lin’s Market, Moapa Valley Progress, VFW, American Legion and all the hardworking volunteers for all their help with the fundraisers and planning in this year’s celebration.
A detailed schedule of the day’s events will be published in the July 3 edition of the Progress.
