Dunlap prepares for patriotic 4th of July celebration
By Jill Schaben
Harrison County Times-Reporter
Longtime community favorites and a high-energy concert are set to headline this year’s Dunlap Fourth of July celebration, as organizers plan an expanded event in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The Dunlap Fourth of July Committee has spent months preparing festivities that blend tradition with new excitement. Committee Chair Justin Schaben said the milestone anniversary inspired organizers to elevate the celebration.
“With this being the 250th anniversary of our nation, we felt it was important to make this year’s celebration bigger and more memorable than ever,” Schaben said. “It’s a special moment in American history, and we want our community to come together to celebrate it in a meaningful and fun way.”
The national semiquincentennial — a term Schaben admits is a “tongue twister” — also inspired this year’s parade theme, “Founding Fathers on Parade.” Organizers encourage participants to embrace the theme with colonial-era costumes, including powdered wigs and waistcoats.
Festivities begin July 3 with the Dunlap Golf Course’s annual four-person, nine- hole best ball tournament. Registration opens at 3 p.m., with tee time set for 4 p.m. That evening, the Dunlap United Methodist Church will host its annual ice cream social from 5 to 7 p.m., offering treats for a freewill donation. The celebration continues with the Dog House Bar & Grill street dance at 8 p.m., featuring live music by Secret Weapon.
Activities resume the morning of July 4 with the annual Fun Run and Walk, a three-mile course beginning and ending at the Dunlap City Park. This event is for all ages, and even includes a children’s race for ages 2 to 10. Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers, as well as all participating children.
Registration for the Silver Fox Auto Show begins at 8 a.m. across from Town & Country on Highway 30. Participation is free, with donations supporting scholarships.
The show will follow the parade.
The kiddie parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Dunlap Post Office. Children are invited to decorate bikes, trikes and ride-on toys in patriotic themes. The short route will end at the city park, where participants will receive prizes.
The main parade begins at 11 a.m., with lineup at the 4 County Fairgrounds. No preregistration is required. Organizers encourage a wide variety of entries, including floats, farm equipment and classic cars. Water balloons and similar items are not permitted.
Following the parade, games and activities will take place from noon to 3 p.m. in the city park. Wristbands for inflatables and activities are $15. Additional amenities include pickleball and basketball courts, along with yard games sponsored by the Dunlap American Legion Post 224.
One of the day’s most anticipated traditions, Pig Poop Bingo, will return once again. The event, revived in recent years by Austin McDonald, has become a highlight for attendees. McDonald, a longtime organizer, said the game brings back fond memories.
“I have fond Fourth of July memories of going to the park after the parade in my youth,” McDonald said. “Families enjoying the activities and games — one of my favorites was Pig Poop Bingo. As a young boy, everything seemed bigger. There was a huge, paneled area with a pig surrounded by people awaiting the results and their winnings. I’m so happy we’ve been able to bring it back for new generations to enjoy.”
Squares for the game are available in advance for $20 each, with only 100 squares sold. A pig will be released into a marked grid at the city park, and the winning square is determined when the pig makes its mark. The winner will receive a $500 cash prize.
Adding to this year’s celebration, Community Bank is marking its 100th anniversary by sponsoring a live concert in the park. The band “Love Scar” will perform from 1 to 2:30 p.m., playing classic rock hits from the 1970s and 1980s.
“We’re excited to partner with Community Bank to bring live music into the park,” Schaben said. “Love Scar puts on a great show, and it’s the perfect way for families and friends to relax, enjoy the afternoon and celebrate together.”
Additional attractions include the Dunlap swimming pool, open from 1 to 3 p.m., and the Dunlap Golf Course, which will be open throughout the day.
The celebration will conclude with a fireworks display at dusk at Pleasant View Park, funded by the City of Dunlap and organized by the Dunlap Fire Department.
For more information, contact DCDC at dunlapdcdc@gmail.com or call (712) 643-2164.
