‘Star-Spangled Celebration’ returns to Dublin Park on July 3

MADISON – Once again at Dublin Park, the “Star-Spangled Celebration” on July 3 will entertain visitors with lively amusements and music, leading to an All-American firework exhibition as the finale.

The City of Madison Parks and Recreation is sponsoring the event from 5 to 9 p.m., which is free and open to all residents. Activities will be set up on Dublin’s soccer field no. 1.

Boys and girls will enjoy inflatable amusements. These popular attractions will include a 5-in-1 Moon Bounce, Monster Truck Combo, 22-foot Dual Lane Slide, Wacky Obstacle Course, 180-Degree Obstacle Course and train/amusement park.

Two local bands, Big Daddy Kingfish and The Zooks, will entertain the crowd with rock and pop tunes that will keep the mood upbeat. Steve Smith with WZYP-104.3 will pump up the crowd with upbeat music.

Food trucks confirmed to-date for the Star-Spangled Celebration are Rita’s Italian Ice, New South Hot Dog & Sushi and Iceworks. Organizers are still accepting food vendors; for information, email Christina.Cox@madisonal.gov.

As the celebration’s finale, a spectacular show of fireworks will light the early evening sky at 9 p.m. on July 3.

A roundtrip, free shuttle service from Bob Jones High School to Dublin Park will transport all visitors to the event and back to their vehicles. Everyone must park in the Bob Jones lot. Shuttle service will suspend during the fireworks show.

Madison police officers and firefighters, along with HEMSI first responders, will ensure safety for the spectators.

For more information, call 256-772-9300 or visit www.madisonal.gov/216/Special-Events. An application for food vendors also is available from that site.

In addition, the Star-Spangled Celebration will feature the third annual “Liberty Toss” Cornhole Tournament. The winner in first place will receive two Magellan outdoor coolers and two 30-ounce GTEC tumblers. The prizes for second place are two American-themed horseshoe sets. The third-place team will receive two hammocks.

The double-elimination tournament will involve two-player teams. Players in all teams will meet at 5 p.m. The games will start at 5:15 p.m. on July 3.

The tournament will allow 20 teams maximum. Fee is $35 per team, and the fee includes a T-shirt for each player.

Cornhole teams can register through June 25 by visiting www.madisonal.gov, and clicking “Community” and “Special Events.” Then, scroll to click “Cornhole Team Registration Instructions.” In addition, cornhole teams can register by clicking the WebTrac link on the “Special Events” page.

After a team is registered, an employee with Madison Parks and Recreation will contact the team about a schedule for play times.

Dublin Park’s address is 8324 Old Madison Pile. For more information, call 256-772-9300. For questions about the cornhole tourney, call Dylan Reutter at 256-772-2568 or email adultsports@madisonal.gov.