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Independence Day Celebration Moves To High School Ballpark
The location has changed and there’s several new events at this year’s Ripley County Chamber of Commerce Independence Day Celebration.
The big day is set to begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 29, with the flag ceremony and welcome.
After five years at Riverfront Park near Downtown Doniphan, this year’s festivities will return to the Doniphan High School Ballpark on the R-I school district campus.
Parking and admission are free for everyone to enjoy the activities. The grand finale will be the traditional fireworks display sometime around 9 p.m.
“We have some new events this year that we hope everyone will enjoy,” said April Black, chamber administrative assistant. “We asked people what they would like to see and have done our best to provide those activities.”
New events include a classic car and truck show sponsored by Rick Yates Signs starting at 3 p.m. and a motorcycle show sponsored by S And G Cycles starting at 4.
Also new is ‘Wing Wars,’ a chicken wing cooking contest sponsored by Chicken On The Run restaurant. There is no entry fee.
The Miss Current River Pageants sponsored by Southern Bank are set to begin at 3:30 p.m. Following the pageants, live music will be provided by Jesse And The James Gang, sponsored by Ozark Federal Credit Union.
Black said all space for food vendors has been filled.
Those attending are asked not to park at Grieb Field to avoid damaging the football practice field. Parking also will not be allowed on the hill at Quick Creek Park, which is where the fireworks crew will be set up.
Pageants
One of the longest-running traditions at the celebration are the Miss Current River pageants. Girls ages infant to 18 years old and boys ages infant to five years old are invited to participate.
The pageants will begin at 3:30 p.m. with the Little Mr. Current River contests.
Age divisions for boys are 0-2 and 3-5 years.
Girls divisions and starting times include: Ages 0-2 (4 p.m.), Ages 3-5 (4:30 p.m.), Ages 6-9 (5 p.m.); Ages 10-14 (5:30 p.m.) and Ages 15-18 (5:30 p.m.)
Contestants must arrive and be registered at least 30 minutes before starting time for their age category.
Attire for ages 0-9 will be red, white and blue wear. Attire for ages 10-18 is formal grown.
Advanced registration fee is $30 by June 28. Entry fee on pageant day is $40. Entries will close 30 minutes before starting time for each age group.
Forms are available at the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce office at 202 W. Highway St., Southern Bank in Doniphan and online at www.ripleycountymis souri.org.
Games For Kids
Also throughout the celebration, Vitronic Inc. will be providing family fun with kid-friendly games.
Wing Wars
‘Wing Wars’ will be held from 1-7 p.m.
Competition will be in three categories - grilled, fried and smoked. Participants may enter more than one category.
Tickets for $5 will be on sale to sample the wings and vote for a People’s Choice award.
Participants must be pre-registered no later than 3 p.m. June 26. Contact the chamber office at 996-2212 for more information.
Wings may be picked up at 1 p.m. on contest day. Cooking may begin as soon as wings are picked up. Judging will begin at 7.
Car Show
Beginning at 3 p.m., Rick Yates Signs of Doniphan will host a special Independence Day edition of Cruisin’ The Park at the high school ballpark featuring classic cars and trucks. There is no entry fee or admission.
Motorcycle Show
From 4-6 p.m., S And G Cycles of Doniphan will host a motorcycle show at the Doniphan High School baseball field.
Trophies will be awarded for Best of Show, Most Chrome, People’s Choice, RAT (so ugly you can’t believe it even runs), Sexiest Bagger, and Street Sport. There is no admission fee, no entry fee, and no pre-registration.