WELLMAN

Are you ready to get your stars and stripes on? That’s the theme for this year’s Independence Day parade in Wellman, and organizers are looking for you to get creative and show your patriotism.

The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 4, for the kiddies; those 12 and under are encouraged to decorate their bikes, trikes, wagons and scooters for the event. The first 30 kids to check-in in front of the library at 9:15 a.m. will get a goodie bag as an added incentive to lead off the day’s events.

The main parade follows at 10 a.m. downtown.

The fun and festivities don’t end after the parade; head to North Park immediately following and you’ll find the kids pedal pull, with check-in starting at 11:30 a.m., and favorites like face painting, dunk tank, pony rides, bounce houses, and barrel rides from noon to 5 p.m. And don’t forget to play some bingo at the shelter!

The Dino exhibit is back at Parkside Activities Center from 1-4 p.m.; there’s no admission to enter, so seize the opportunity to interact with the animatronic T-Rex, dig for fossils, and climb faux-volcanos in the prehistoric paradise.

Cabin Fever will be playing in the Bandshell at 5 p.m., and food trucks onsite will keep you satiated all day long so you’ll be ready for the fireworks display at dusk. The spectacular sky show will be launched from the Wellman Golf Course again this year.