The United Way office in Suffolk announces that once again the 14 agencies that provide healthy and human service programs to residents will be supported through the City of Suffolk’s Parks & Recreation Fourth of July Stars & Stripes Spectacular. This will be held from 5-10 p.m. today at Sleepy Hole Park. Wooden Nickel will be the featured musical group.

&uot;Special events have become an integral part of fundraising with many of our largest supporters,&uot; said Tywana German, director of Resource Development of United Way.

&uot;This is one of

the largest events in the City of Suffolk and we are very thankful that they have chosen United Way and our partnering agencies as beneficiaries of their hard work.&uot;

The Wooden Nickel Jazz Band (WNJB) was formed in November of 1992, and began hitting the festival scene in February of 1993. All the members of the band had been involved in previous musical relationships.

The band is not your parent’s jazz band. You will find a multitude of musical styles here, all couched in traditional jazz, but not always exactly true to some people’s expectations of what a Dixieland band should sound like.

Other fun events that will take place are kiddy rides and games with a $5 wristband, face painting, and food vendors. Of course, the highlight of the entire evening promptly at 9 p.m. will be the fireworks show by Pyrotechnico.

For $3 per vehicle, satellite parking will be available at Nansemond River High School and John Yeates Middle School. A shuttle will also run every 10 minutes. There is limited on-site parking at Sleepy Hole for $10 per vehicle; $5 for handicap parking.

Last year various city of Suffolk departments raised $19,599 in special event money, $6,800 of which came from the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department and last year’s Stars and Stripes Spectacular.

German said that as Suffolk continues to grow, so do the social service needs in our community. She also said that as far as the event goes, she was pleased with the turnout last year.

&uot;This is a community event that I hope all residents of Suffolk and surrounding communities will take part in and is a fun environment for the children and adults as well. The parking fees are donations only and I can assure you, will go to strengthen our Suffolk community. After all, isn’t that what our American foundation is built on – people helping people,&uot; she said.

For more information call the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Dept. at 923-2360.