Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center will host its 25th annual Independence Day celebration this Friday night and Highway Church of the Nazarene will present Celebrate America on Sunday, June 27.
The annual Squires Picnic will be held next week, on Saturday, July 3.
The activities at the nursing home get under way at 6 o’clock and will continue until after dark when the giant fireworks display brings the program to a conclusion.
Free parking is available on the hill near the facility, and additional parking is available on the Murphy’s lot at the junction of Highways 5 and 76. Free shuttle service, provided by First Southern Baptist Church, will run throughout the evening, from Heart of the Ozarks to the Murphy’s lot (now Drury University).
It was also confirmed this week that additional parking will be available in the open area at the bottom of the hill behind Dr. Lloyd Johnson’s veterinary office. Shuttle service will also be available from that property which is owned by Craig Cunningham.
Those who wish to utilize the shuttle need to understand that they can ride from the off-site lots to the nursing home, or they can catch the shuttle and return to their car at the bottom of the hill anytime during the evening. Free rides will be provided both ways.
Due to a change in the set-up of the fireworks this year, some streets may be shut down at certain times, and personnel will be available to give directions and help you find a place to park.
Crestview Street on the hill northwest of the nursing home will be closed throughout the evening until the fireworks show is concluded. No cars will be allowed on that street due to state laws governing the fireworks.
Traffic may still enter the area off Highway 76 and off Highway 5. However, those approaching from Highway 5 will be routed through the residential area on Fox Meadow Drive to the top of the hill behind the nursing home.
Parking will still be available behind the facility, with golf cart shuttles available, and parking in front of the nursing home will access that area from the southeast side.
This will eliminate the need to approach the parking area from the steep hill off Crestview Street.
When the show is over, cars will be allowed to exit to Crestview Street.
Entertainment will include live music by Missy Breshears, After Hour Pickers, Heritage Singers, McCullough Brothers and the Sunshine Singers.
There will also be a car show coordinated by Roadrunners Car Club, the Crystal Lake Fisheries trout pond, kids games, inflatables, bingo called by Copeland employees, and crafts. The Chamber of Commerce will also have a dunking booth.
There will be food including hamburgers and hot dogs, cotton candy, sno-cones, kettle corn and funnel cakes, and the VFW color guard will bring a patriotic presentation.
Over $8,500 worth of merchandise has been donated for the silent auction that helps to fund this annual event.
Some of the items you may wish to make a bid on include “baskets” valued at $100 to $300 centered around themes such as fish fryer, sand box, pamper me for the women, summer fun, campfire, auto car care kit, and a garden basket.
There’s a rechargeable Yamaha 4-wheeler, numerous show tickets, gift certificates, and a float trip package that includes a cooler and contents, hotel lodging, meal tickets and even your bug spray and sunscreen.
Bring your lawn chairs or blankets to spread on the lawn and plan to enjoy the evening, listening to music and visiting with your friends.
The professional fireworks show will be presented by Chris Davis, of Ava.
In case of rain, the event would be held on July 9.
Celebrate America
The annual Celebrate America program at Highway Church of the Nazarene began as a local church activity and has grown to a full-blown community event, as well.
The program is held outside, adjacent to the church, located five miles north of Ava on Old Highway 5.
Celebrate America this year will feature southern gospel music by the Calvarymen, of Hartville, and contemporary gospel by Anthem, a student group from MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, Kan.
The event begins at 5:30.
Skydiver Terry Wendt will drop in at the event, literally, landing in a designated area in the midst of the activities. There will also be inflatables, game booths, and free food including popcorn, cotton candy, and sno-cones, and cobbler and ice cream.
Burgers, Frito pies, and barbecued pulled pork meals will also be available.
There will be pony rides, a children’s train ride, rock climbing wall, and fish pond
Plenty of free parking is available adjacent to the church grounds.
Squires Picnic
The 28th annual Squires Fourth of July Picnic will be held this year on Saturday night, July 3, beginning at 5 p.m.
Located eight miles south of Ava on Highway 5, at the Squires Fire Department, this is one of the biggest events of the year for the community.
There will be live entertainment by Rolla Swofford, Spring Creek, Hunter Creek and Heritage Singers, plus games, drawings for prizes, and of course, fireworks at the conclusion.
Food booths will offer burgers, hot dogs, nachos, soda, popcorn, cotton candy, homemade ice cream, and there will be a cake walk.
A $2 donation per vehicle will be accepted for parking, and coordinators say there is still a need for more volunteers if you would like to help.
For information or to sign up to help, call Jeff or Tamara at 417-683-0186, or Spurlocks Store at 417-683-2537.
