File photoMeridian’s Fourth of July celebration returns to Bonita Lakes on Wednesday, July 4.

Meridian’s Fourth of July celebration promises to delight everyone with live music and a spectacular fireworks display over Bonita Lakes on Wednesday, July 4.

The annual event also includes great food, local entertainment, and family fun.

Festivities begin when the gates open at 3:30 p.m. and the official program starts at 6 p.m. Local musician Daniel Houze will kick off the festivities, playing his unique blend of country and popular music. Roderick Fox and the Trio will conclude the show with a variety of jazz, blues, and patriotic favorites.

“This year we are excited about celebrating our Nation’s birthday and honoring those who serve our community and our country,” said Laura Carmichael, the city’s community development director. “We are also excited about our stage show – Meridian is home to so many talented musicians and we are so glad to have our local artists perform for this annual event.”

Meridian has been putting on a spectacular fireworks show on July 4 for more than two decades. At 9 p.m., a very special version of America will play as the fireworks spectacular explodes over the upper lake.

“Our public safety, public works, parks, and recreation, police and fire departments do a great job organizing the event”, said Carmichael. “It is truly a team effort to put an event of this size together and it is our way of giving back to the citizens in our city and surrounding communities.”

Bonita Lakes will be closed on July 3 to prepare for the event. Gates open on July 4 at 3:30 p.m. Food and other vendors open at 4 p.m. A free shuttle is provided from the Tuesday Morning parking area at Bonita Lakes Mall to the Bonita Lakes main entrance beginning at 5:30 p.m.

For more information call 601-485-1908.

Other local celebrations include:

• July 3 – Quitman/Clarke County Independence Day Celebration Boat Parade at Archusa Water Park. Boat line up at 8:15.

• July 4 – Fireworks spectacular at Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia starts at 9 p.m. Free admission – open to all ages.

• July 4 – The City of Demopolis, Ala., will have Freedom on the River from 3-9 p.m. at Demopolis City Landing. Parade, food vendors, live entertainment and fireworks. 

Wheels turning for Stuff The Bus 

With the fall school term just weeks away, United Way has the wheels turning for its annual Stuff the Bus campaign.

The bright yellow bus will be parked at Raising Cane’s on North Hills and Bonita Lakes Mall to stuff with supplies for elementary school children in the Meridian and Lauderdale County public school systems. This year’s event is planned from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 19.

“This year, we are so excited to expand Stuff the Bus, to not only at Raising Cane’s in North Hills but having our second location at Bonita Lakes Mall,” said Channing Peebles, VP of Resource Development and Communications for United Way of East Mississippi. “Unfortunately, The need grows every year and we are hopeful that by expanding locations means we will get more school supplies and uniforms to help the children in our areas,

Sponsors include The Liberty Shop, Raising Cane’s, and Bonita Lakes Mall. During the day of the drive, The Liberty Shop, located in downtown Meridian, will offer 10 percent discounts on uniform purchases.

Raising Cane’s will offer free lemonade to each person that makes a donation on the day of the event. They will also be donating 15 percent of overall sales from the day to the Stuff the Bus program.

The donations received will help the children in our community return to school prepared with the supplies and uniforms they need, according to Peebles.

Stuff the Bus provides the opportunity for citizens to assist their local public elementary schools by donating school supplies, new or gently worn uniforms, and monetary donations. Last year’s Stuff the Bus contributions totaled more than $117,542.03 total worth of school supplies, uniforms, and monetary donations.

“A donation of $60 will provide one child with the school supplies and uniforms needed to go back to school,” Peebles said. “Without help from the community on this important drive, many children will return to the classroom without the mandatory tools needed to succeed for the school year. United Way of East Mississippi encourages everyone to come out and “Stuff the Bus.”

Stuff the Bus will also be in Neshoba County on July 3, at CDP at the Depot and in Kemper County, July 20 at Pilgrim Foodliner. All from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

United Way of East Mississippi, serving Lauderdale, Clarke, Kemper, and Neshoba counties, supports 22 local partner agencies and 7 community impact programs. For more information, contact United Way at 601-693-2732.