Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 117, No. 26	July 1 , 2009

Residents pause to honor nation’s 233rd birthday

By LARRY SEE JR.
Messenger Staff

From Fort Knox to Rough River State Resort Park and Corydon, Ind., residents will stop to honor the nation’s 233rd birthday this weekend.

Fireworks, historical re-enactments and pageantry will serve as a backdrop for the events. A complete summary of local events follows:

FORT KNOX:
Fort Knox will honor our nation’s birthday with a tradition-rich ceremony and then cap the day off with a concert and fireworks.

At 11:30 a.m. July 4, the day’s activities officially kick off with a formal “Salute to the Nation,” ceremony at Brooks Field, where 75-mm cannons will fire 51 shots – one for each state and one for the six U.S. territories.

Armor Center and School Commander Col. David Teeples will be the event’s keynote speaker.

From 6 to 10 p.m. that evening, people are invited to Keyes Park to enjoy a free variety music concert by Kentucky’s own “The Spare Change Band.” Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets because the event seating is festival-style. There will be food onsite.

Following the event, at 10:15 p.m., there will be a 15-minute fireworks display.

ROUGH RIVER:
Despite state budget cutbacks, the fireworks show will continue at the Rough River State Resort Park in Breckinridge County.

“This year’s display will be about 30 percent bigger than any display in the history of the park,” said Charlie Corbett, president of the Rough River Business and Tourism Association.

Corbett said 1,100 pounds of fireworks will be launched, with the event to coincide with a music soundtrack.

Local businesses and private donors have come forth to support the event, Corbett said.

“I’m really proud of the business owners and private individual donors that have contributed their hard earned money for this event,” he said.

Music and concessions will start at 4 p.m. on July 4 and the fireworks will launch just after dusk.

For information, contact the park at (270) 257-2311 or Corbett at (270) 287-2502.

For informatiom, visit online at www.roughriverlaketourism.com.

CORYDON, IND.:
Music, cannon demonstrations and a re-enactment of the signing of the Indiana State Constitution is planned in Corydon, Ind., for the Independence Day weekend.

Throughout the entire weekend, re-enactors will demonstrate daily life in the 1800s for area citizens.

Legislators will walk the Capitol grounds enroute to important meetings and an early militia group will
train to prevent an uprising in town during the upcoming Civil War.

Highlights of weekend events include:

• July 4:
12:30 p.m.: Re-enactment of the signing of the Indiana Constitution of 1816.

1:30 p.m.: First-person interpretation of John Shields, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition who settled in Harrison County. (repeats on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.).

2:30 p.m.: Early American duel of two young men who will fight for honor with flintlock pistols.

3:30 p.m.: First-person interpretation of Polly Strong, an African-American slave who fought for her legal freedom. (repeats Sunday at 1:30 p.m.).

4:30 p.m.: First-person interpretation of John Tipton, a citizen of Corydon and a veteran of 1811 battle of Tippecanoe. (repeats Sunday at 2:30 p.m.).

The events conclude at 4 p.m. July 5.

Throughout the weekend living history camps and period merchants will be open and food and drinks are available on site.

Free carriage rides are available at various times. The schedule is subject to change due to weather and
unforeseen circumstances.

For information, call Nathanael Logsdon at (812) 606-1264.

CLOSINGS:
Some banks and stores have reduced hours on July 3 for the Independence Day holiday. Customers are advised to check for holiday hours.

The Meade County Messenger office will be closed July 3, causing news and advertising deadlines to move up one day. The office will resume normal hours at 8 a.m., Monday, July 6.

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