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Staff Report
Helen’s annual fireworks may be the main event on Independence Day, but there are plenty of other celebrations for families to enjoy this weekend and on the holiday.
On Saturday, July 1, there will be two local celebrations.
The Crossover Church will host an Independence Day Celebration from 6-10 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. There will be food, games, live music and bounce houses as well as a fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m. The Crossover Church is located at 5430 Highway 129 South in Cleveland.
NoFo Brew Co., located at 1939 Helen Highway in Cleveland, will host its first Independence Day Fireworks Celebration also on Saturday.
The free event includes live music performances by Tim Moore from 1-4 p.m. and Matt Spinks Band from 6-9 p.m. The brewery’s fireworks show is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, July 4, Tom and Nadine Wardenga invite the community to Glenn’s Orchard, 996 Harkins Road in Cleveland, to celebrate not only Independence Day, but the centennial celebration of a picnic held by the Kellum family in Kellum Valley in 1923.
The celebration is from noon to dark.
Medford and Elizabeth Kellum had moved to the area in 1922. According to Garrison Baker’s book, A History of White County 1857 to 1980, the Kellum family brought in ice-cream, a circus and fireworks and about 1,800 people (most of the county) attended.
“We will not provide food, so please feel free to bring a picnic basket or just come and enjoy the day,” Tom Wardenga said. “We have bathroom facilities, a covered tent with tables and chairs, and games.”
They ask that no alcohol be brought to the property.
Helen’s display will be behind the Alpine Village Shoppes and Welcome Center on Tuesday, July 4.
The fireworks will start when it gets dark, around 9-9:30 p.m.
Helen Police Chief Aletha Barrett reminded visitors and residents that fireworks are not allowed on city-owned properties, which includes parks and parking lots. There are also no open containers of alcohol allowed at the fireworks, and children are advised to wear ear protection. For the route of the traffic after the fireworks,
Police will be directing the route of traffic after the fireworks show.
Brucken Strasse and Munich Strasse will be closed to all through traffic from Edelweiss Strasse after the show. Everyone parked north of the river will be routed north on Main Street to Alternate 75, and everyone parked south of the river will be routed south on Main Street.