Prairie Grove, Farmington Celebrate July 4th

Residents in the area will have two chances to celebrate our country's freedom during the fourth of July weekend.

Prairie Grove will sponsor its third annual Celebrate Prairie Grove event, beginning at 7 p.m. Friday at the aquatic park. The pool will be open free to the public with hot dogs and drinks provided free of charge. The family-friendly evening will cap off with a fireworks display.

Discharging Fireworks

Farmington — July 3 and 5: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; July 4: 10 a.m. to midnight.

Prairie Grove — July 4: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Lincoln — No restrictions

Prairie Grove held its first celebration in 2013 to commemorate the city's 125th anniversary. The event was such a success that citizens kept asking the city to do it again and make it an annual event.

"So here we are again," said Mayor Sonny Hudson.

He estimates that 1,500 people came to the celebrations in 2013 and 2014. Many people come and just set up their chairs outside the aquatic park and wait for the fireworks to start.

Hudson said the community affair would not be possible without the help of local businesses.

Farmington's annual FreedomFest, sponsored by the city and Farmington Area Kiwanis Club, will be held Saturday night with a fireworks display set to go off at dusk, around 9 p.m. Farmington High School's football field will be open for people to set up chairs and blankets, unless the field is wet because of rain. If the field is not open, bleachers at least will be available for seating.

A new event for this year's FreedomFest is a golf ball drop, sponsored by Farmington Senior Activity and Wellness Center to raise money for Meals on Wheels. Numbered golf balls cost $5 each and the senior center will begin selling golf balls at 5 p.m. Saturday.

The drop will take place in the end zone of the football field and purchased golf balls will be dropped over the goal post toward a target. The person who purchased the golf ball closest to the target will win $100. A $5 golf ball is enough to pay for one meal for a home-bound senior adult.

General News on 07/01/2015