By MARK TODD
Staff Writer
mtodd@starbeacon.com
CONNEAUT — America’s birthday will be celebrated with food, fun and — of course — fireworks at the annual Fourth of July Festival at Conneaut’s Lakeview Park.
The four-day event kicks off Thursday afternoon and concludes with a waterfront fireworks show late Sunday night. “We’re ready to go,” said Tom Udell, festival committee chairman.
Rides and food booths have already begun to sprout at the park. Many of the same amusements and vendors are returning from last year, Udell said.
The festival starts at 4:30 p.m. Thursday with opening ceremonies and a flag-raising. A 10:15 p.m. fireworks display caps the schedule.
Pageants for kids and pets, a big Saturday afternoon parade, three bands and the popular “Conneaut Idol” competition are among the weekend’s highlights. Several people have already signed up to compete in the singing contest.
The festival parade begins in the Conneaut High School parking lot. Units will begin lining up at 3 p.m. and will begin at 4 p.m. Units will head to the festival midway via Jackson, Broad and Erie streets.
Udell is at the helm of the festival for the third straight year. Udell stepped forward in 2006 when the event was in jeopardy.
The job gets easier each year, Udell said.
“I’ve got a good feeling about it,” he said. “I will admit it was nerve-wracking the first year.”
The city’s fireworks display traditionally draws thousands to the lakefront. The committee ordered a $10,000 show, and has nearly enough money collected to pay the bill, Udell said.
“We’re almost there,” he said. “We’re about $1,000 short of our goal.”
Udell is confident the balance of the cost will be raised. “People have really come through for us,” he said.
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