Sparks in the Park! Gather at firehouse 4:30 for parade at 5 to Bradley Park; event to start at 6

The annual Sparks in the Park celebration for Independence Day starts with the parade at 5 p.m. today. All are welcome to march in the parade; gather at the Firehouse beginning at 4:30. The parade will go from the Firehouse to Gratz, right on Higgins, cross Winter Street to Turner, take a right to Bruen, take a right at the stop light, turn left on Winter to Main and turn right to Gratz, then left to Dudley and right to the Walter Bradley Park, arriving around 6 p.m.

After music by City Coulcilman Aaron Hamilton, the National Guard will present the colors and "The Star-Spangled Banner" will be sung. Dr. Jim Roach will give a patriotic reading, Pastor Mary Seeger Weese will give the invocation, and the Hilltop Rockers will perform from 6:30 to 7. The Midway Musicians (Billy and Lauren Hill, Margaret Lyle, Blake Jones, and Bill and Leslie Penn) will perform for half an hour, then the Rockers will return.

Councilwoman Diana McQueen says barbecue "will be available while it lasts... and music until about dark! Children's games will be going on throughout the evening. I hope you will consider walking in the parade . . . Please join me tonight in thanking Christian Care Communities for their generous $1,500 sponsorship of the barbecue. We are so fortunate to have this support! My sincere thanks to Tom, the council, and all the city employees who really contributed to making our celebration possible! It's going to be a special and wonderful evening!"