City’s ‘Star-Spangled Celebration’ set for July 3

MADISON – Patriotic sights and sounds will make you feel like a ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ when the City of Madison presents “The Star-Spangled Celebration.”

The event on July 3 will run from 5 to 9 p.m. at Dublin Park, 8324 Old Madison Pike. “We hope everyone can come out for the event,” Kory Alfred said. Alfred is Director of Madison Parks and Recreation Department, which is sponsoring the city celebration.

The event is free to the public.

For live entertainment, the band, Groove, will keep the pace upbeat with their music. Several food trucks are scheduled to sell refreshments to the crowd. The trucks and entertainment will be set up on Soccer Field no. 1.

A set of inflatable amusements, like a moon bounce and slides, on Soccer Field no. 2 will offer fun activities for the boys and girls.

Parking will be available at Bob Jones High School, 650 Hughes Road, and shuttle buses will transport visitors round-trip to Dublin Park. The shuttle service will begin at 4:30 p.m. This transportation is free.

The Star-Spangled Celebration’s finale will be a rousing fireworks show.

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

In addition, the second annual “Battle of the Paddle” pickleball tournament will be held in conjunction with the Star-Spangled Celebration. The tournament will be staged at the outdoor courts at Dublin Park on July 3 beginning at 8 a.m.

Madison Parks and Recreation is sponsoring the tournament.

The fee is $30 per player, with $15 for each additional division entry. A T-shirt is included with the fee.

A player will pick a partner. Both partners must be registered to participate.

For this tourney, “No Partner, No Problem,” because players will receive an email message before the tournament to choose from a list of available players.

“Battle of the Paddle” is a round-robin style tournament, with a three-game minimum guaranteed. The available divisions will be “Men,” “Women” and “Mixed.” Age categories will be 49 years and younger, along with 50 years and older.

For each division, the first- and second-place players will receive prizes.

Registration is open through June 23. To register online, visit www.madisonal.gov, and click “Departments.” Then click “Parks and Recreation,” “Special Events” and “July 4th events.”

For pickleball tournament info, call 256-772-2557 or email stephanie.elmore@madisonal.gov.

For more information about the Star-Spangled Celebration, call 256-772-9300, or visit www.madisonal.gov/recreation.