Independence Day Celebration

Independence Day at Shade

Ready for a great time over Independence Day weekend? The Greenville Eagles are ready to give it to you at Shade Road on July 3.

The Shade Road Independence Day Celebration will be bigger than ever this year thanks to the return of Darke County’s largest fireworks display. The event starts at noon and culminates “whenever!”

Start it off with “Darke County’s got Talent!” This will be the first semi-final karaoke contest featuring the top singers in preliminaries that started in April.

Following the contest, you will be entertained by “Cotton,” then by headliner “Classified.” Both groups are established performers with loyal followers and will take you through the rest of the day until fireworks start about 10 p.m.

“The reputations of Classified and Cotton are established,” said Greenville Trustee Ron Kreitzer, “but the local talent that has surfaced in our karaoke contest is also fantastic.

He added that some really great singers will be competing for a chance to win the $1,000 grand prize to be awarded this fall.

“The unfortunate situation with our fireworks provider last year made it possible to build an even better show this year,” said Past Worthy President Kerry Young. “There will be a strong patriotic soundtrack timed with about 20-25 minutes of non-stop fireworks.”

The Greenville Eagles membership has been funding fireworks displays for the Darke County community for the past four years. The Independence Day Celebration was moved to Eagles Shade Road last year.

There will be beverages, dancing, food from multiple vendors, and for the kids, the Moonwalk and playground equipment. Want to throw a few horseshoes? Bring them along and take advantage of the Shade Road horseshoe area.

As always, admission to the Independence Day Celebration is free. However, no carry-ins will be allowed.

For a different taste of entertainment, plan to pick up your tickets for an evening of “Ribs ‘n Blues,” sponsored jointly by the Darke County Center for the Arts and the Greenville Eagles. It starts at 6 p.m. on July 16 at Shade Road, and features “Ray Fuller & The Blues Rockers.” A $12 ticket gets your choice ribs or chicken, a side and a beverage, and a great evening of entertainment. Tickets will be available on July 3, as well as from any Eagles officer or DCCA board member.