Independence Day loaded with activities

Fireworks will fly Thursday night, closing out a day full of activities.

There’s plenty to do on Independence Day in Jay County, with Fourth of July activities beginning with the Firecracker 5K at 8 a.m. at Jay County Fairgrounds. Registration for the race will start at 7 a.m. at the Morton Street entrance.

Redkey will also have a full day of activities, with softball tournaments that began Monday resuming at 8 a.m. at Redkey Morgan Park. There will also be a pig roast.

Events in Portland continue with the parade, with participants gathering beginning at 10 a.m. in the East Jay Middle School parking lot. The parade, which runs north on Meridian Street and then east on Votaw Street to the fairgrounds, will step off at 11 a.m.

A day full of free entertainment at the fairgrounds will open following the parade with a flag raising and singing of the national anthem at 12:30 p.m.

There will be a variety of entertainment in the new Farmer’s Building with performers slated from 1 to 2:30 p.m., A Noble Church Gospel Sing with Mark Vice from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and Portland-based theatre group Harmony Players on stage from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Deb Price will be face painting, giving glitter tattoos and even making balloons from 1 to 4 p.m. And visitors will be invited to take a walk on the wild side near the Portland Optimist Club stand as the Silly Safari exotic animal program runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. 

At the North Grounds, the C.A.S.A de Portland Soccer Tournament will begin at 3 p.m.

Hot rods and other vehicles will make an appearance near the east grounds for the Arch Bridge Kroozers car show. 

Activities available throughout the day at the fairgrounds include:

East Arena — Jay County Ham Radio demonstrations

Bubp Building — Museum of the Soldier display

Midway — Inflatable games

Woody Turner Hall — Steve Norma Karaoke

Grandstand — Garden tractor pull

Scout cabin — Water ball

Pastor Bruce Phillips will offer a prayer at 9:50 p.m. prior to the fireworks display.

Redkey’s fireworks are also slated for about 10 p.m.

Limberlost State Historic Site will also offer activities with an Independence Day Bald Eagle Program. Beginning at 1 p.m., the site’s visitors center will have a variety show presented by the Harmony Players of Jay County. Following the performance at 2 p.m. the bald eagle named Jefferson will be making an appearance. There will also be a presentation about bald eagles in the center’s classroom.

Amishville U.S.A. in Geneva will hold a fireworks celebration beginning with a cookout, fishing and swimming at 5 p.m. Saturday. Fireworks with a live DJ will begin at dusk.

Other activities scheduled for July 4 include:

Winchester –– Fireworks at dusk at Goodrich Park, 700 N. Union Street.

Minnetrista –– Food vendors and outdoor games will be available beginning at 5:30 p.m. America’s Hometown Band will play at 8 p.m., with the fireworks show to follow.

Muncie  –– A “Set the Night to Music” fireworks presentation will start at 10 p.m. at Muncie Central High School.

Decatur –– Beginning at 5:30 p.m.,  visitors can grab a bite to eat at Madison Street Plaza and Riverside Center with music by the Bulldogs starting at 7 p.m. The American Legion will host a ceremony to honor fallen soldiers at 9 p.m., with fireworks to follow at dusk.

Bluffton –– A California Dreamin’ concert will begin at 8 p.m. at Bluffton High School’s football field, and fireworks will follow at 10 p.m. The Big Dipper Ice Cream Trailer will be making an appearance to hand out sweet treats. 

Fort Wayne ––  The Fort Wayne TinCaps will play against the Lake County Captains at 6:05 p.m. A fireworks show will follow the game.