CONNEAUT —
The calendar says the July 4 holiday is over, but don’t believe everything you read.
In Conneaut, the city’s annual Fourth of July begins this afternoon at Lakeview Park and continues through Sunday night, when fireworks will burst above Lake Erie. Organizers, keen on keeping the fireworks as a Sunday grand finale, chose to have the event start after the holiday. Rides, games, food and entertainment will mark each of the four days.
The extravaganza begins at 4:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies, immediately followed at 5 p.m. by four patriotic pageants for girls ages 18 months to 14 years dressed in their best red-white-and-blue finery. Following the pageants at 8 p.m. will be the first two rounds in the popular Dairy Queen Conneaut Idol singing competition. Several people will be showcasing their musical skills before three judges. Elimination rounds continue Friday and Saturday, followed by the finals at 8 p.m. Sunday.
Saturday brings a big 4 p.m. parade that begins at Conneaut High School, then proceeds to the festival grounds via Jackson, Broad and Erie streets.
The long weekend comes to a close Sunday with a 10:15 p.m. fireworks display along the lake. Some $10,000 worth of noisemakers, provided by American Fireworks, will be sent into the sky, said Michelle Bailey, festival coordinator.
The launch site will set up on the Conneaut Harbor sandbar. For safety and security reasons, the bar will be closed to visitors after 2 p.m., said City Manager Tim Eggleston. Good viewing spots can be found at Township Park, Lakeview Park and the public docks.
Here’s a look at the 2012 festival schedule:
THURSDAY
(Midway open 5-11 p.m.)
• 4:30 p.m. — Opening ceremonies with a flag-raising ceremony by American Legion Cowle Post 151
• 5 -7 p.m. — Four pageants: Little Miss Sparkle (18-months-2 years), Little Lady Liberty (3-5 years), Little Miss Firecracker (6-10 years) and Miss Fourth of July (11-14 years)
• 8 p.m. — First round of the Dairy Queen Conneaut Idol competition
• 9 p.m. — Second round of the Dairy Queen Conneaut Idol competition
FRIDAY
(3-11 p.m.)
• 6 p.m. — Third round of the Dairy Queen Conneaut Idol competition
• 8 p.m. — Entertainment
SATURDAY
(3-11 p.m.)
• 4 p.m. — Parade leaves Conneaut High School parking lot
• 6 p.m. — Dairy Queen Conneaut Idol semi-finals
• 8 p.m. — Music by “The Kingpins”
SUNDAY
(3-11 p.m.)
• 6 p.m. — Music by “Gutter Boy”
• 8 p.m. — Dairy Queen Conneaut Idol finals
• 9 p.m. — Music by “Gutter Boy”
• 10:15 p.m. — Fireworks display
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Holiday just starting at Conneaut festival
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