Getting ready for Streetfest

By Kevin Dye

Staff Writer

Those looking for a good patriotic party need to look no further than the West Jefferson July 4 Streetfest, which will have live music, fair food, games, rides, crafts, a parade and fireworks during its three day-celebration which opens Monday, July 2.

The July 4 Streetfest will begin with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 2. The festival will be open from 5-11 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. The July 4 holiday will begin at 11 a.m. with the annual July 4 Streetfest parade, which will travel east along Main Street. Parade participants are asked to get to the line up area by 10 a.m. The parade will step off promptly at 11 a.m.

Military entries, local dignitaries, elected officials and the West Jefferson High School Band will assemble on Eastgate Avenue. Antique cars, walkers, pet entries and decorated bicycles will assemble at the Professional Building at the intersection of West Main Street and Mary Street. All other parade entrants will go to Inwood Road, for directions to the area for your type of entry.

Each day of the July 4 Streetfest there will be rides, food, clowns and face painting to entertain young people. Live entertainment is scheduled each day with the Southern Trio Plus One band performing at 7 p.m. Monday, July 2,; Music 4 For Christ at 5 p.m.; and The Posse at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 3; Union Highway at noon, Cloggers at 4 p.m. and The Alexander Band at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4. The July 4 Streetfest will close Wednesday evening with its spectacular fireworks display beginning at 10 p.m.

“We are using the same ride company as last year and they are adding a new small child ride this year,” Streetfest committee chairperson Bob Harper said. “We tinkered a little with our fireworks display, so it should be even better. We have a lot of good entertainment acts lined up and we will have crafters set up on the parking lot area of the West Jefferson United Methodist Church.”

Harper said that there are still craft spaces available at a cost of $50 for the three-day event. If you are interested in a craft space, contact Terry Harper at (614) 879-9751 for more information.

The July 4 Streetfest committee will also have a tent with the latest July 4 T-shirts, hats and other patriotic novelty items for sale along the festival area. Proceeds from the sale go directly to the July 4 Streetfest fund. Currently, there are Streetfest donation collection jars in local businesses around town. July 4 Streetfest committee members will take to the streets this Saturday morning to collect donations on behalf of the festival.

“Our corporate donations are down significantly this year,” Harper said. “We pretty much have the collection containers all around town and we will be on Main Street from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday to raise more funds for the festival.”

Another way to support the July 4 Streetfest is to purchase a $5 raffle ticket for the $1,000 raffle drawing that will take place at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. The drawing will have a first place prize of $500, second place prize of $350 and a third place prize of $150. Tickets are currently available at the West Jefferson VFW, The MustardSeed Cafe, West Jeff Hardware, Mike’s Pizza and will be available at the July 4 Streetfest.

The West Jefferson July 4 Streetfest will be located on South Center Street and Pearl Street. The main entertainment stage will be at Center and Main streets. Volunteers are also needed. If you would like to volunteer to help with the event, contact Bob Harper at (614) 879-8840.