While there are no pyrotechnics involved, the Charleston Recreation Board, in partnership with the Charleston Community Choir and 10 Charleston area churches, is sponsoring a patriotic celebration this evening in the Charleston Park off Worth Street.
Free hot dogs, chips, and drinks will be given away in the park at 6 p.m., following a welcome address from Mayor Walter Goode. The patriotic musical, “This is My Country” will begin at 7 p.m.
The evening includes free watermelon slices provided by Mike Brown following the 45-minute concert. Those in attendance are asked to bring lawn chairs or blankets to use throughout the event.
The Fourth of July celebration marks 236 years since the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain.
Mount Olive Ministries is once again offering its annual Freedom Celebration at Bradley Square Mall where merchants will be open until 9 p.m. with special promotions.
The fireworks show begins shortly after at dusk.
The 2012 Freedom Celebration, primarily sponsored by Larry Hill Ford, is billed as “Cleveland’s biggest fireworks show yet” and will be synchronized to patriotic music broadcast by MIX 104.1.
This will be the 26th year Howard Thompson has lit up the skies above U.S. Highway 64 East of Cleveland. Jim Smith and John Sanders of Crye-Leike Real Estate will join Thompson this year.
Thompson estimated a crowd of about 13,000 in 2011 and expects at least that many again on Wednesday.
Waterville Baptist Church will have a small 15-minute fireworks show south of Cleveland on Dalton Pike.
