FORT PAYNE-Several events offering a variety of free family fun are on tap atop Lookout Mountain in celebration of the upcoming Independence Day holiday. The star-studded celebrations begin Thursday, June 30 and activities range from a flag-making contest and ice cream social to fireworks and a festival centered around potatoes.
The Independence Day celebrations kick off when the city of Fort Payne lights up the night sky with its annual fireworks show. The Fort Payne City Fireworks Show is set for 8:45 p.m. on June 30, 2022, at the Fort Payne Sports Complex located at 101 45th Street NE in Fort Payne. Admission is free. For more information, visit https://visitlookoutmountain.
DeSoto State Park offers its annual star-spangled celebration beginning with the Splish and Splash Pool Party set for July 1. From 6:30 to 9 p.m., visitors are invited to cool off in the Olympic-size pool, play pool games and eat homemade ice cream. Admission is $1 per person.
DeSoto State Park invites all ages to put on their creative hat and participate in a flag-making contest. Materials to create the flags and flag-making rules will be available at the campground pavilion in the Improved Campground starting June 30. Flags can be turned in at DeSoto’s Nature Center any day that week up until 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 2 to be judged.
Hitting the streets at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 2 is the Independence Day Parade. The parade route begins at DeSoto State Park’s headquarters and makes its way to DeSoto’s Improved Campground, just in time for the homemade ice cream social that is set for 4 p.m. at the Campground Pavilion. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and their own favorite recipe for homemade ice cream to share while mingling with other guests. Flag making contest winners will also be announced at this time.
On Saturday, July 2, the town of Valley Head will hold its Centennial Celebration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held in the Valley Head Town Park located at 9551 AL-117 in Valley Head with free drinks and free food.
With its roots in potato farming, the town of Henagar pays tribute to its heritage with a free festival on July 4. The Sand Mountain Potato Festival begins with a parade at 10 a.m., and throughout the day, Henagar Park will be buzzing with activities including the annual cornhole tournament, volleyball tournament, antique car show, antique tractor show and games for the kids along with food vendors offering a variety of potato entrees and side dishes. Craft and food vendors from all over the Southeast bring their wares and specialties to delight the crowd. Live entertainment includes a mixture of southern gospel, country, bluegrass and modern hits performed by local favorites. The day-long event concludes with a spectacular fireworks display. All activities are held in Henagar Park located at 18200 Alabama Highway 75. Additional information is available at https://visitlookoutmountain.
For information on the above events or on additional things to do in northeastern Alabama, visit www.VisitLookoutMountain.com or call DeKalb Tourism at 888.805.4740.
Media Release/John Dersham, President & CEO/DeKalb Tourism
