Canton, Ben Wheeler Set Independence Day Events

Two celebrations in Canton and Ben Wheeler are on the schedule of Fourth of July events in Van Zandt County.

The Canton Chamber of Commerce and Canton Main Street are sponsoring a parade around the courthouse square Saturday starting at 10 a.m.

Floats and people participating in the parade should be at the staging area at First Baptist Church, 303 S. Athens, at 9 a.m.

Vendor booths will be set up and open downtown until 2 p.m.

"We will have arts and crafts, food and information booths, pony rides for the kids and also a children’s area with games and activities," said Mercy Rushing, director for Canton Economic Development Corporation.

Rushing said the Van Zandt County Courthouse Square will be closed to traffic during the parade.

After that, only a section of Tyler Street will be closed to traffic.

The day’s highlights also include a performance by the Van Zandt Community Band. A patriotic ceremony, including the presentation of the Van Zandt County Outstanding Man and Woman of the Year, will be followed by a watermelon eating contest.

At dusk, the annual fireworks display will begin at the west end of the First Monday Trades Day Park. Because the Fourth of July is on a sale weekend this year, Rushing said people are advised to enter the park from Highway 64 by turning onto Little Road.

Parade participation forms and vendor booth forms are available at the Canton Chamber of Commerce and Canton Main Street offices downtown in the Plaza Theatre Building at 119 N. Buffalo.

Ben Wheeler Arts and Historic District Foundation is hosting the second annual July 4 Celebration in downtown Ben Wheeler Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Headlining the live music are Karl Berkebile and Friends and Grand Saline country jam band WHISKeYFISH.

On Friday, pre-event festivities will begin downtown with a street dance at 7:30 p.m. featuring classic country/rock music by Stanley Nardo Stanley.

The Ben Wheeler July 4 celebration includes a parade, antique cars and tractors, a children’s play area, concession stands, and free hot dogs while they last. Special interest vehicle clubs are encouraged to participate in the parade.

WHISKeYFISH is a group of four friends, some of whom are from Grand Saline. The group’s debut compact disc is scheduled to hit radio stations and stores this month.

WHISKeYFISH is set to play from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Karl Berkebile and Friends play from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.

During the celebration, the veteran band Berkebile has put together will play blues-oriented rock, Texas shuffles, and a bit of old-style R&B with a repertoire that he said most likely won’t include any songs that have been around for less than 20 or so years.

Berkebile plays keyboards and will do most of the vocals, ranging from Sam Cooke’s "Bring It On Home" to Randy Newman’s "Louisiana," which was a big hit at last year’s first Ben Wheeler July 4 party.

Saturday’s music lineup also includes the East Texas BackRoads Band performing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The emcee for the event is Don Jones from 104.1 The Ranch.

For more information about this event or for special interest vehicle club members wanting to find out how to participate in the parade, call (903) 833-2084 or go to www.benwheelertx.com.