Tupelo to celebrate Independence Day at Ballard Park Thursday night
TUPELO — Tupelo is gearing up to celebrate the country’s independence with its annual Fourth of July festival.
The city will host the 38th Annual All-America City Family Picnic in the Park on Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Ballard Park.
Alex Farned, Tupelo parks and recreation director, said the festival will begin at with a “kids’ hour,” which includes inflatables, face painting and music from the Blind Eye DJ.
If You Go
If You Go
What: 38th Annual All-America City Family Picnic in the Park
When: Thursday, July 4, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Ballard Park, Tupelo
Why: Entertainment will include music from the Blind Eye DJ, Kolby Oakly and “American Idol” contestant Zachariah Smith. Activities include inflatables, face-painting and more. The night will end with the city’s annual fireworks display.
“It’ll be fun and music for the kiddos to enjoy,” Farned said.
At 6:15 p.m., musician Kolby Oakly will perform, with “American Idol” Top 5 finalist Zachariah Smith taking the stage at 7:30 p.m.
Smith, a Monroe County native, recently performed and made it as a finalist on the long-running national reality show “American Idol.” He previously released the single “Rainy Day,” and is working on a full-length album.
Those who find themselves drawn more to food than music will find plenty of food vendors at the park during the night’s festivities.
Of course, most attendees will be eager to see the night sky painted in patriotic colors. Farned said the annual fireworks display, always the highlight of the festival, will follow Smith’s performance at 9 p.m. He noted that those interested in attending the festival should bring their own chairs and that they should be cognizant of parking, noting that the current renovations to Ballard park have reduced parking somewhat.
“Parking is always difficult out here,” Farned said. “We will have a lot of (Tupelo police officers) out directing everybody…. We need to make sure they are patient and follow everything they are supposed to.”