Independence Day excitement planned all over Suffolk

North Suffolk events

The opening ceremony will kick off at 11 a.m. in the family life center at Ebenezer United Methodist Church. Children are invited to participate in a bike and float parade that begins at 11:30 a.m. They should bring their helmets and line up on the soccer field before 11:30.

After the parade, free games, inflatables and activities will be available from noon until 3 p.m.

At that time, the homemade raft race will begin on Chuckatuck Creek.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m., concessions, including baked goods, barbecue and snow cones, will be available for purchase. All proceeds go toward Ebenezer mission projects.

The Elder Sparks band will provide live entertainment from 6 to 9 p.m., when the fireworks display will begin.

For more information on the Ebenezer and C.E.&H. event, call the church at 238-2359.

Downtown Suffolk events

Suffolk Parks and Recreation invites city residents to commemorate Independence Day at its annual Stars and Stripes Spectacular.

The event will take place at Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina Monday from 6 to 9 p.m.

The celebration features live music from the band Island Boy, concessions for sale and a children’s area with games and inflatables.

The event is free and open to the public, but there is a $5 fee to gain all-night admission to the children’s area.

Parking for the event is limited, and the city is offering a free shuttle service from various downtown parking lots.

The parking lot to the right of the Hilton Garden Inn as well as the Suffolk Visitor Center parking lot will be open, but Carter said these lots usually fill up quickly.

From 5:15 to 10:45 p.m., three shuttles will transport guests from parking lots at the courthouse, First Baptist Church, the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, Prentis Street, Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum and the Fresh Pride store on East Constance Road.

The shuttle stops will be marked with large signs.

For more information on the Stars and Stripes Spectacular, call Lori Cater at Parks and Recreation at 514-7267.

Isle of Wight County events

Fireworks in Smithfield will be held on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. at Clontz Park in downtown Smithfield. Clontz Park is located at 400 N. Church St., but the fireworks display will be visible in downtown along the Pagan River.

Fireworks in Windsor will occur Monday at 9:30 p.m. at Windsor High School. Children’s activities begin at 5:30 p.m. at Robertson Park. “Winds of Grass” will play at 6 p.m. Windsor Woman’s Club and Windsor Ruritans will serve free pizza and hot dogs at 7 p.m. Everyone is asked to bring a dessert to share. Windsor Woman’s Club will host the second annual children’s Fourth of July Parade at 8:15 p.m. on Duke Street. Youth are asked to decorate their bikes and wagons. Fireworks will be at 9:30 p.m.

For more information about either Smithfield or Windsor, call 357-2291.