The Clinton County Rec/Park Board spent the majority of its regular meeting last Thursday evening, May 29 making plans for the quickly approaching July 4th fireworks show that will once again be held at Mountain View Park.

The fireworks display, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and others, had its pilot year at the park in 2013 and despite bad weather throughout the day and night, was still a highly successful show. With the park’s centralized location and being situated near the bypass as well, the show seemed to draw more spectators who were better able to view the fireworks display.

Last year events ran throughout the day and were somewhat spread out, but this year, the park board is working on cutting the time of the events back and adding more events to coincide with one another, giving visitors to the park on that holiday more activities to take part in.

All events that lead up to the 9 p.m. fireworks show will begin at 3 p.m. and include gospel and other types of music, a second annual car show and some new events, a barbecue cook-off in two categories, one for professionals and one for the back-yard BBQ enthusiasts.

Also, something that is more and more popular with the kids will be on tap, that being large inflatables–at least two or three–for children to play on for hours throughout the late afternoon and early evening.

At last week’s meeting, the board voted to rent the inflatbles and sell armbands for $5 each allowing children to take advantage of them non-stop for as long as they wish at one price.

The BBQ cook-offs will have a 50 percent payback, with professionals to pay $50 and amateurs $10 to cook their favorite barbecue fixins. Licensed vendors will be allowed to sell their BBQ during the event. Judging will be done by out-out-town judges and take place at 5 p.m.

The car show will run from 3-6 p.m. with judging also to take place around 5 p.m. that evening.

The board will also spotlight the high school JROTC and high school band with performances shortly before the actual fireworks display that night.

The fireworks show and program of events at the park will also be well publicized by the Chamber of Commerce and Park Board in the weeks to come, and more details about the July 4th show and events will be made at a call meeting of the board scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 12.

In other business last week, the park board:

* Heard a brief building and grounds update from Park Director Bobby Reneau. He noted the flower bed project was now complete and repairs had been necessary to a rest room and the playground era. It was also noted the Little League season is winding down, but to this point had gone very well.

* Approved the past two months treasurer’s reports, with a fund balance on May 29 being $12,632.68 minus $2,029.46 in pending bills, with a $10,000 pending deposit from county government.

The next regular meeting of the Recreation/Park Board is scheduled for June 26 at 6 p.m. at Mountain View Park and is open to the general public.