The City of Hamlet will have a fireworks display on July 4th beginning at dusk, usually about 9:30 p.m. City Manager Marchelle Adams-David announced that there will be a surprise unveiled at the Hamlet City Lake for citizens to view.

Meanwhile in Ellerbe, Ted Futrell will be the new president on Ellerbe Lion’s Club as of July 1, and said the festivities will start at 2 p.m. Though the gates open as early as 10 a.m.

Lee Thee Men’s Chorus will be the first group on stage in Ellerbe at the Lion’s Club Park. Then, there will be bands and the Quicksilver cloggers and a clogging contest.

Bill Council of the Ellerbe Lion’s Club said Clark Jr. and the Nights of Harmony will perform until the fireworks start. Concessions will be available and there will be multiple activities for children.

Troop 92 of the Boy Scouts will operate the kitchen for the heavier dishes. There also will be a watermelon race.

The distinguished citizen of the year will be given out towards the end of the ceremony.

Coolers are permitted on the grounds, but no alcoholic beverages and attendees can also bring your own food. If you choose to leave the park you can regain entry by purchasing a ticket for $2 for a school age child, (up to college as well but you will have to provide identification) and $3 for adults.

John Sears, chief of the Ellerbe Volunteer Fire Department, was one of three men that went to Raleigh and got licensed so that the town would have fire works. The others were Greg McCauley and Jim Vuncannon.

“We started the process back in Mid-March, doing everything that the state department required,” Sears said.

The class was given at Wake Forest Fire Department by an outside company, and all of the men passed their test in June.

“We only needed one to perform the show but in case of incidentals there are three operators,” Sears said.

The fee for the test was $100 per man and the class was $50 per participant. The license is good for three years.

“This will be a great day of family and fun in an alcohol-free atmosphere,” Council said.

The event is done in association with the Ellerbe Telephone Co.

Down south

The Cheraw Recreation and Leisure Services Department will kick off the Independence holiday July 2 with a downtown children’s parade. The parade begins in the Jones Furniture Store parking lot on Front Street and proceeds to Town Hall.

All children are welcomed to ride their bikes, trikes or wagons in the parade. No motorized vehicles are allowed. Prizes will be awarded for most patriotic costume and best decorated bike, trike or wagon. Free refreshments will also be served.

The festivities continue on Friday night with a downtown celebration on the 100 block of Second Street from 6 - 10:30 p.m. The stage starts out with the contestants from the Colgate Country Showdown sponsored by My FM 93.9.

Live music will be performed by “The Magnificents Band” playing the finest in classic soul, dance and party music from 7 - 10 p.m.

In addition to great musical entertainment, there will be games provided by TC’s Amusements – bungee trampoline, giant slide, bounce house, and TC’s Choppers.

Ticket purchase is required for the rides and games. All games will start at 6 p.m. and end at 9:45 p.m.

A variety of concessions will be available for purchase - pizza, hot dogs, Italian Ice, funnel cakes, popcorn and drinks. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the food and festivities.

Admission is free; however a small fee will be charged for games and concessions.

For the grand finale, East Coast Pyrotechnics will put on a fireworks show. Fireworks start around 10 p.m.

Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mailing at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com