56th annual Fabulous Fourth of July festival begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday

COLUMBUS — Downtown Columbus will be the place to celebrate July 4 next week.

The town will celebrate its 56th year putting on an Independence Day celebration with food, music, children’s rides and a fireworks show to end the night. Columbus’ Fabulous Fourth of July festival begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, with the fireworks show at 9:45 p.m.

“Don’t miss the most essential hometown Fourth of July celebration in Polk County,” said Columbus Town Clerk Monica Greene. “Join us for the 56th annual Fabulous Fourth festival in Columbus and enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere and hometown fun with live entertainment on stage all day and a large array of crafts, nonprofit and of course, food vendors.”

The day kicks off at 10 a.m. with the opening ceremony, including the presentation of colors by the Polk County Honor Guard and the National Anthem sung by Anita Williamson. The stage will be filled with local bands all day, beginning at 10:10 a.m. with Joyful Noise, a gospel group, and at 11 a.m. with Patrick Ballard, with blues, patriotic music and banjo.

Then there is the food.

“Where else can you get barbecue from Foothills Mountain BBQ, [po’boys] from Southside Smokehouse, fresh cut fries from Brittany’s Burgers, the best hot dogs in Columbus from Heavenly Hot Dogs, deep fried cookie dough, funnel cakes, deep fried Oreos and homemade ice cream fresh out of the churn all on the same block,” Greene said. “Bring a chair and a fan to set up camp for the day to listen to the tunes and let the kids enjoy games and amusement rides on Stearns lawn. Columbus is the place to be this and every Fourth of July. Don’t miss all the fun.”

The Antique Car Show will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Gibson Street, with people’s choice awards presented at 3 p.m.

The farmers market will be set up on Main Street, running all day beginning at 10 a.m.

Children will also have the opportunity to enjoy some all-day fun, with an amusement park with rides at Stearns Park, as well as games set up on the lawn, sponsored by Cross Roads Baptist Church.

Amusement park rides will begin at 5 p.m., Tuesday. Rides will continue until 10 p.m. that evening, and be available Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Activities will also be available at the Polk County Historical Museum, located at 60 Walker St., Columbus, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, with special children’s activities all day.

A list of vendors and entertainers is available on the town’s website, columbusnc.com, and its Facebook page as well.

Fabulous 4th of July schedule

• 10 a.m. — Welcome

• 10 a.m. — Color guard present the colors

• 10 a.m. — Anita Williamson – National Anthem

• 10 a.m.— Opening Remarks – town representative

• 10:10 to 11 a.m. — Joyful Noise – family Gospel

• 11 a.m. to noon — Patrick Ballard – blues and old timey favorites

• Noon to 1 p.m. — Veterans’ Hour

• 1 to 2 p.m. — Michael Crisp – oldies and favorites

• 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. — Carrie Morrison – pop-favorites, rock, folk, blues and originals

• 4 to 5:05 p.m. — Meghan Woods – country and originals

• 5:35 to 6:40 p.m. — Crescent Moon Blues with Red Dog – unique blues, rock and jazzy swirl

• 7:10 to 8:15 p.m. — Mason Band –  classic and southern rock

• 8:45 to 9:40 p.m. — Dixie Dirt with John Edney – rock, classic rock, blues

• 8:45 p.m. — National Anthem – Men’s group, Crossroad’s Baptist Church

• 9:45 p.m. — Fireworks