Clinton County Road Department crewman Greg Brown was busy mowing right-of-ways on Ky. 553 Monday

The third annual fireworks show is just around the corner as is the second of the “big three” summer holidays.

July 4th, marks a day of celebration all across the United States with fireworks, cookouts, and family events to celebrate this nation’s independence.

Families all across the country will be gathering to view a display of fireworks, and Clinton County is no exception.

This year’s Chamber of Commerce Fireworks Show is going to be bigger and better than ever, with the celebration kicking off around 6 p.m. Admission to the Fireworks Show is free.

Although the Fireworks Show is primarily organized through the efforts of the Albany - Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, the financing and promotional work for the event is a cooperative joint effort from several organizations and businesses.

This year’s event is sponsored by the Albany - Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, Albany City Council, Clinton County Fiscal Court, Clinton County IDA, Monticello Banking Company, First & Farmers Bank, People’s Bank of Albany, Clinton County Fair Board, WANY and the Clinton County News.

With a favorable weekend weather forecast, and the fact that the July 4 holiday actually falls on a Saturday this year, the size of the crowd expected at the local celebration is expected to be the largest ever. In an effort to keep the annual July 4 program “fresh”, organizers have added a live band performing at the Clinton County Fairgrounds.

This year’s band is “Touch of Class” which will be playing the best of music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

A paving crew with Gaddie Shamrock was working in Albany paving a section of the Eddie Lovelace Street near the Richard Matthews residence.

“We do have a band and we are really excited about the band coming,” Committee member Lisa Beard said. “I think this year we have spent more on a band that we ever have, so I think it will be good for the county.” With the band playing an arrangement of music from several decades, Beard thinks there will be something for everybody.

“I feel like it is important for the county to know that we are really behind this,” Beard said. I think it will be something that everybody will like.”

On of the featured members of the band “Touch of Class” is Clinton County native Kem McWhorter.

For citizens of Clinton County who viewed the fireworks show last year, the Chamber of Commerce is holding nothing back. It hired the same fireworks company, Melrose Pyrotechnics Inc., and bought the same package as last year. The show will really speak for itself.

“The fireworks show will be the same as last year. I think the price has gone up, but we stuck with the same plan because we felt like it was well received from the public last year.”

Other than having a band kick off the evening, Beard said there will be food available for those who come out early and want to ‘grab supper.’ “This year we have the Cattlemen’s Association with Steve Peddicord doing the food,” Beard said.

According to Beard, one of the reasons the Chamber of Commerce decided on the Cattlemen’s Association for the food is because Peddicord is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and they have agreed to split the proceeds with the chamber.

“They are going to split the proceeds 50/50 and we don’t have to do anything. Steve is going to take care of it. We thought that was too good to pass up,” Beard said.

In addition to providing good food, the arrangement also allows the Chamber to lend its support to one of the most important business areas to Clinton County, agriculture.

By using and supporting this new group, the Clinton County Cattlemean’s Association, the support is two-fold in that the Chamber is also able to keep as much of the program on a “local” basis as possible.

One difference from last year’s event, according to Beard will be making it more ‘user friendly.’ She said people who come out to the show won’t have to walk up to the grandstands to get food or hear the band.

“We are going to do it this year where people don’t have to come up to the grand stands,” Beard said. “Everything will be out in the parking area. The fireworks will be easily seen from that direction and the band will be set up down there, so people don’t have to get out of their car. We are really gearing it to try to make it more susceptible to people and make it more family oriented.”

Beard believes hosting an event as big as a fireworks show is good for the county.

“Everyone I’ve talked to said they loved it. They are so excited that we can do something here, locally in Albany and have what they call a very good fireworks show. In the year’s past, my family would actually drive to Burkesville or Byrdstown to see a fireworks show. I’m real excited that we’ve got that here to offer to our community. It makes it really nice that they can come watch the show and hopefully bring more business into Albany.”

Hosting an event, such as the fireworks show, brings in people from out of town as well.

“I also think it’s a great thing for the local docks,” Beard said. “They can tell their customers that ‘hey, there is going to be a fireworks show in Albany.’ I think it will be good for them.”

People who take vacation on either Lake Cumberland or Dale Hollow Lake will have a chance to view the fireworks free of charge and with this year’s event being on Saturday, a huge crowd is expected.

“I think its something good for the community. To be able to offer something like this to the community shows that even though times are hard, we can still offer something fun and exciting to the people of Clinton County,” Beard said. “Number one, it’s free. We’ve never had a charge to that. We are really happy about the support we’ve got from the city and county. It’s been well supported by the businesses in the community.”

Other than having top of the line fireworks, a Bar-B-Q food menu and a band, the Chamber of Commerce will also be offering a chance for citizens to give back to the cause. A donation bucket will be available to donate for next year’s show.

“If you enjoyed it and you want to put some money in there, that will be available,” Beard said. “If you decide it was well worth it and your family had a good time, put what ever you want in there.”

Beard, as well as the rest of the Chamber of Commerce, wants the event to grow every year. The only way for the event to grow, is for people to show a great interest in the event. All in all, the chamber wants to supply families with a great show and a good time.

“We are really urging people to come out early and listen to the band, grab dinner, kind of like a picnic,” Beard said. “Bring your lawn chairs, bring your blankets, and have a really good time. I think it will be bigger and better than last year. I think people are looking for a really good time to have with their family and its great we can do that locally.

I think the fireworks show is great. It’s a great time for celebration, its fun and its makes you proud to be an American.” Although looking at next year’s event is more than a year in the future, Beard said the chamber is always accepting new ideas and are hoping to expand the event and supply all-day activities for Albany and Clinton County citizens.

“We talked about doing some kind of cook off with Bar-B-Q and we’ve talked about doing something that would be an all day event,” Beard said. In the future, the 4th of July Celebration could include a car show and many other activities to make the celebration last all day.

“We have not had the 5K run yet, but we are going to do it a little later in July. There are other places that have big 4th of July runs, so we don’t want to conflict with other peoples events,” Beard said. “We are really looking for activities to make it a whole day event.”

Beard said that if anyone has suggestions on different activities to add to the 4th of July Celebration, you can contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 606-387-0228.

The event for this year begins around 6 p.m. with the “Touch of Class” band. Fireworks will begin at “dark-thirty” or 9 p.m.