George, Washington's July 4 celebration set for Thursday

GEORGE - The community of George will enjoy its biggest day of the year on Thursday, July 4, with the annual George, Washington Independence Day celebration.

The George Fourth of July will be held in the community park. There will be Food booths, game booths, informational booths and other activities throughout the day on and off the stage.

“It's the party we hosted for 56 years,” volunteer Debby Kooy said. “We thought we'd prolong the fun by having some of our vendors stay in the park on Friday and Saturday. We have invited musicians from all around for some impromptu busking in the park on these days.”

The George Fourth of July will kick off with breakfast at the community hall kitchen at 7 a.m. Serving will end at 11 a.m.

The Cherry Bomb Fun Run, which features a 10K and a 2-mile run, will get under way by the park at 8:30 a.m.

For the adults, there will be an address by 13th District State Representative Matt Manweller at 11 a.m. There will be children's activities throughout the day, starting at 11:30 a.m.

Food vendors will open at 10 a.m. There will be 11, in addition to 40 retail vendors.

Live entertainment, on the community park stage, will get underway at about 11:30 a.m. It will feature Kathy Boyd and Phoenix Rising, the Dancing Grannies, the Rise and Shine Cloggers and A Wee Bit Celtic.

The almost-main event of the celebration, the pageantry and patriotism of the grand parade, will get underway 10 a.m.

The main event, the sharing of the world's biggest cherry pie, will start at high noon. It usually takes more than an hour to serve.

Friday's extension of the celebration will include the monthly First Friday Jam. If you like to sing, play or just listen, you are invited to the 7 p.m. show.

According to Kooy, Friday will include day-time activities. And Saturday will have park activities and jamming all day.