The first of the ‘big three’ summer holidays, Memorial Day weekend, has just concluded but the second big event, Independence Day July 4 is just around the corner and a main highlight in the Albany/Clinton County area will again be the fireworks show that has now become an annual event at Mountain View Recreational Park.

The 2016 version of the July 4 Celebration at the park will still feature several events as in the past, but under somewhat new leadership. In years past, the Chamber of Commerce had taken the lead to organize and put on the fireworks show. However, after last year that organization decided not to take the lead and turned the event over to the park board, which along with various other sponsors, will carry on the tradition.

The park board, at its regular meeting last Thursday evening, May 26, continued to finalize plans for the event, which will be held from around mid-afternoon on Monday, July 4, culminating in the fireworks show, with the same company who put on the display last year, starting at 9 p.m.

At the meeting, several decisions on events and times were ironed out, including a list of expenses that will be involved in putting on the event, most of which is covered by sponsorships from various organizations and businesses.

Those expenses include the cost of the fireworks display itself ($5,000), food for concessions that will be available throughout the afternoon and night, the cost for the annual inflatables for kids, the cost for a live band, trophies for the car show, and a banner, among others.

The board planned the “menu” of what will be sold as far as concession, which will include hot dogs, tenderloin, ribeyes, chips, popcorn, and possible other items.

Inflatables for the kids, which is always popular, is apparently being sponsored by Lay-Simpson Furniture and Junction Station. Once again, arm bands will be sold for children to be able to use the inflatables from start to finish.

The annual car show will also once again be held, with various sponsors helping make that show possible. That will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. with trophies in several categories being awarded.

The fireworks show sponsors include the City of Albany; Clinton County Industrial Authority; Clinton County Fiscal Court; First & Farmers National Bank and Monticello Banking Company.

There will also be a live band performing beginning at 5 p.m. and there will be performances by the CCHS Band, Alumni Band and the JROTC will also be on hand.

Something new this year will be a “Patriot Walk” around the newly renovated walking tract. This will involve “glow necklaces” being sold to visitors who will take a walk around the track around dusk, prior to the fireworks show itself, and plans are for the high school’s JROTC to lead the walk.

A banner will also be placed listing all of the sponsors that have made the celebration possible.

A complete listing of events to take place, including times, will be published in a later issue of the Clinton County News.

In other business, the board discussed some buildings and grounds issues and the need for replacement members to be named to the board, which currently has only around 10 to 12 active members; approved the treasurer’s report; discussed a “work day” at the park on Saturday, June 25 and asked for volunteers for that event (which will see the toddler playground equipment installed) as well as volunteers to help out during the July 4 event.

The park board will have a special call meeting on Thursday, June 23 at 6 p.m. at the park. The meeting is open to the general public.