The greater Moapa Valley community will be holding its annual Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 4 at the Logandale Fairgrounds. And this year’s event promises to be as big as it ever was.
Organizers have been working hard behind the scenes to involve the members of the community in preparation for the big event.
Members of the Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce met together last Wednesday to discuss logistics for the community dinner. At the meeting, Chamber President Bret Staley expressed concern that the dinner may not be possible this year. He pointed out that for many years, the pit barbecue dinner had been prepared by former Logandale resident Dennis Freeman.
“That started years ago when Dennis was the President of the Chamber,” Staley recalled. “Independence Day was his favorite holiday and he loved to do it, even after he had sold his businesses and was no longer involved with the Chamber.”
Freeman passed away in April of last year. His sons carried on their dad’s July 4th tradition last year, but told Staley they were unable to do so this year.
“It was tremendously kind of Dennis’ sons to do that for us last year and we truly appreciate it,” Staley said. “But in all fairness, we can’t expect them to take it on forever after. So we either have to find another option, or we may just not be able to do it anymore.”
Business owners and community members in attendance felt strongly that the tradition should be continued, even if it had to be altered somewhat. Overton resident Lori Houston suggested that the meat could be prepared easily using a number of commercial roasters. Tiffany’s Subs owner Scott Carson stated that his staff makes pulled pork barbecue sandwiches at his shop that way. He offered to head up the effort to prepare the meat. Nevada Community Prevention Coalition Moapa Valley coordinator, Suzie Bennett offered to round up about a dozen roasters that could be used from various locations. And local 4-H coordinator Lacey Tom stated that her family could donate a half a beef to add to the previous pork donations that the Chamber had already collected from Swanson Farms.
“It looks like the tradition will continue,” said Staley at the end of the meeting. “Thanks for all your efforts.”
But that is only a small part of the day’s festivities.
The day will start at 7:00 a.m. with a flagraising ceremony presented by local veterans organizations. This will be followed by a pancake breakfast prepared and served up by the Moapa Valley Rotary Club.
Activities and games for the whole family will follow at about 9:00 a.m. The local Clark County Parks and Rec staff will be providing a number of water games, a candy hunt and a watermelon eating contest this year.
New this year, the VFW Post #1047 out of Las Vegas will be bringing a small train ride for the kids.
The morning activities will end with the Fire Department Water Fight which will start at about 10:30 a.m. sponsored by Volunteer Fire Stations 72, 73 and 74.
The evening activities will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a flag retreat ceremony performed by local veterans. The Chamber of Commerce dinner will begin at 6:30.
Music and a short program will be provided in the evening. Several community awards will be presented during the program, including the “Show Your Patriotism” award which will be presented by members of the Moapa Valley Revitalization Project.
Then at 9:15 the fireworks display will commence.
Those interested in volunteering to help in putting on this community event can contact members of the Chamber of Commerce or the Rotary Club for information.
Fundraising efforts for the event are still ongoing.
A group of young local kids decided one their own that they would form a club to help raise funds for various local charitable causes. The Buccaneer Club’s first project, they decided, was to raise funds for the July 4th celebration. The kids worked hard to make several items they could sell including clay necklaces, rubber band bracelets, hair bows, keychains and more. They theny set up a table outside of Lin’s Market last weekend and went to work raising funds.
The kids plan to set up their wares again on Thursday this week and on Saturday. Find their fundraising station in front of Lin’s on both days.
In addition, donation jars are also available at several businesses in town including American Family Insurance in Logandale, McKesson Realty, Cal’s Auto Repair, Sugar’s Restaurant and Lin’s Marketplace in Overton.
A detailed schedule of the day’s events will be published in the July 2 edition of the Progress.
