Published: July 02, 2009 12:05 am      

Sky's the limit for area holiday activities

Anyone who can’t make it to Ashland to celebrate the Independence Day weekend will have plenty of options for fireworks, family and friends throughout the area.

Grayson

Local celebrations get under way with Carter County Thunder on Friday at the Carter County Fairgrounds off of U.S. 60 south of Grayson.

“We encourage everyone to bring a lawn chair and a blanket,” said organizer Lincoln Theinert, who anticipates a crowd of approximately 4,000 if good weather forecasts hold true.

Carter County Thunder will begin around 6 p.m. with a performance by vocalist Katie Owens of South Point, followed by Dave Justice and Appalachia starting around 7 p.m.

Members of the East Carter High School JROTC will conduct a ceremony honoring local veterans before the evening’s headline performance by Nashville recording group Taylor Made.

Signs with arrows will be posted at Grayson’s exits from I-64 pointing visitors toward the fairgrounds, Theinert said, and members of the East Carter High School FFA will direct motorists into parking areas at the fairgrounds. For more information, visit cartercountythunder.com or call (606) 776-6560.

Louisa

The city of Louisa is expecting a crowd on Saturday. Mayor Teddy Preston said the lineup for the city’s annual patriotic parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. at Louisa Plaza, and the parade will get under way at 11.

“I want everybody from last year, and more, to be in the parade — fire departments, civic organizations, pageant winners, teams and everybody else,” the mayor said.

The Fourth of July celebration in Louisa will include a sing featuring local groups from noon to 3 p.m. at Main Street Park, along with a car show in front of the downtown park along Main Street.

Louisa’s fireworks will begin to light the sky at 10 p.m.

“This whole town will be packed. The fireworks are visible from anywhere in town,” the mayor said. “This year’s display will be as big if not bigger than last year’s.”

For more information, call (606) 638-4038 or 483-9155.

Princess

For the seventh consecutive year, members of Princess Chapel Church at the intersection of Ky. 5 and U.S. 60 in Boyd County will honor military veterans at Singing in the Park in the amphitheater at Princess Chapel Park from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday.

“We do it because of what they did,” said Pastor Clell Lucas, noting veterans attending the event will be honored at 4 p.m. The veterans will also be presented with a patriotic cap and American flag, Lucas said.

The day’s music will be provided by His Own, New Vision, the Pelfrey Family, John Stevens, Jerry Bennett and Four. Concessions will be sold at the free event. For more information, call (606) 923-8381.

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park

A concert by the Kentucky Blue Collar Band, combining blues, rock and southern country styles, will kick off activities at the amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $5 and attendees should bring their own seating.

Fireworks, sponsored by the Greenup County Tourism Commission, will start at 10 p.m. from the Community Pool parking lot.