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Highlands Today

Area ready for July 4 celebrations

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Fireworks displays will be held in Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid.

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: June 18, 2009

As our nation prepares to celebrate its 233 birthday, area organizations and organizers have worked diligently on plans for fun-filled July 4th events.

Sebring

In Sebring, the Independence Day celebrations are organized by the Heartland Young Professionals, under the chairmanship of Dusty Johnson, Y.P. president.

Fundraising efforts to raise an additional $7,500 are ongoing, said Johnson.

"This week will be the final push for sponsors," said Johnson. "We know the way the economy has been people can't give as they did (in the past). But any donations are welcome."

Their goal is to raise $20,000. So far they're at the $12,850 mark, according to YP secretary, Kelly Griffin.

"We're trying to increase the money we raise so we can have an even bigger show this year," said Griffin.

The city of Sebring donated $5,000 and the Community Redevelopment Agency gave $2,500. The title sponsor is Cross Country Automotive Services.

They'll have kid-friendly games, festivities, food vendors and entertainment, said Johnson.

Live classic rock music will be provided by Groovus, from 4 to about 8 p.m., he said.

Contestants will be stuffing their faces again this year during a hot dog eating contest at 7 p.m. The prize will be a $25 gift certificate.

The City Pier Beach remains closed to swimming.

Fireworks should be going off around 8:45 p.m. to 9 p.m., weather permitting.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Sebring fireworks is asked to send a check or money order made out to Heartland Y.P., P.O. Box 7393, Sebring, Fla., 33872.

To contact the Heartland Young Professionals, call Johnson at the Heacock Insurance Group, at (863) 385-5171 or e-mail heartlandyp@yahoo.com .

Avon Park

AVON PARK - In his 22nd year of planning Fourth of July celebrations for the city of Avon Park, Wally Randall is prepared to pass the baton to the Avon Park Jaycees.

"They've been helping out big time," Randall said on Tuesday. "They're looking to assume responsibility for the fireworks (including fundraising)."

"I'm still going to be available to help if they need me," he said.

The Main Street CRA donated a $2,000 sponsorship. The rest of the money is being raised through corporate and private donations.

Avon Park Bingo and the Fireworks Committee of the Avon Park Historical Society have been major supporters of the event.

"We hope to start around 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Randall added. Fireworks will go off at about 9:15 p.m.

Providing the entertainment will be a young lady named Shelby Dressel, he said.

"She will be singing patriotic songs and country tunes," he said.

Randall said he's got a snow cone and cold drink vendor lined up already, but is looking for someone with hamburgers and/or barbecue.

"Fundraising is never ending," he said. "Our goal is $17,000."

They've collected about $12,000 already with about $5,000 more needed.

This year they will shoot off the fireworks from the middle of Lake Verona. In the past the fireworks were shot from its northern shore, he said.

"We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the festivities and to make a donation if they care to," he said.

Anyone wishing to make a donation is asked to send a check of money order to the Avon Park Historical Society, 55 A. Miracle Ave., Avon Park, Fla. 33825. For more information call (863) 443-1737.

Lake Placid

LAKE PLACID - The fireworks over Lake June in Winter are sponsored by the Lake Placid Jaycees.

Fireworks will go off at 9 p.m. over Lake June, said Eileen May, executive director of the Lake Placid chamber.

With a goal of $10,000, and with $4,000 still needed, the Jaycees will hold a barbecue fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 27 at Stuart Park, on Interlake Boulevard, said Tiffany Ewin, the Lake Placid Jaycees secretary.

For $8 people can preorder a meal consisting of half-a-chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, and a roll, by calling 381-6930. Presold meals are preferred but meals will be available at the park while they last.

Deliveries are available, said Ewin.

Donations for the Lake Placid fireworks can be dropped off at the Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce or Heartland National Bank, or they can be mailed with checks or money orders payable to the Lake Placid Jaycees, P.O. Box 2490, Lake Placid, Fla., 33862.

For more information contact Lyle Wilson at (863) 441-0671.

Firework times:

Sebring - Times approximate - 8:45 p.m. to 9 p.m., depending on the weather, at City Pier Beach.

Avon Park - 9:15 p.m. at Donaldson Park - Lake Verona.

Lake Placid - 9 p.m. - over Lake June in Winter.

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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