Published: July 01, 2009 07:57 pm      

City gearing up for Salute to Freedom

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — While many cities in the U.S. are cutting back on July 4 celebrations, Mt. Vernon will be offering a new and exciting fireworks display and shows, according to Bonnie Jerdon of the Mt. Vernon Tourism Department.

“We have not scaled back this year at all,” Jerdon said. “We will have spent the same amount as last year on fireworks. The City Council and city government think this is an important celebration for the community.”

S & N Fireworks of Lincoln were chosen to provide the fireworks show again this year, marking about 10 years of choreographed shows for the community.

“It’s all choreographed to patriotic and popular music,” Jerdon said. “They change it us every year. The actual fireworks products change year to year, and so does the music, so there will be a different show.”

The Salute to Freedom will be held at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport with gates opening at 5 p.m. Midwest Sound and Light will provide a DJ and music until a live concert by Jordan Carter starts at 7:30 p.m.

Carter, of rural Jefferson County, has been compared to the country music legend Johnny Cash, and his first album, Chances, was released in 2006. His second CD was released last year. His latest single, Money Does the Talking is in the Top 100 of the country music charts.

While the music fills the air, so will the sounds of children’s laughter from Kids Alley, hosted by the Mt. Vernon Jaycees.

“We just want to provide a place where the kids can have fun,” Jaycees member Dan Voyles said. The group will have some inflatables available including a large slide that was a favorite last year. Other children’s games will be available as well.

“There’s also my favorite part,” Jerdon said. “The food vendors. I’m looking forward to the best corn dogs at this event.”

In addition, Jerdon said two more churches have signed on to be in the vendor area this year, which includes professional and local organizations providing food, drinks and carnival games.

The fireworks display is set to begin at 9 p.m., after the national anthem is sung by Rachel Hall.

Jerdon said if there is rain, the fireworks will still go on.

“As long as it is not pouring rain at 9 o’clock, they’re going off,” Jerdon said. “If it’s raining too hard, we will delay until we get an opening, and then we will set them off. We will do our best to have fireworks on the Fourth of July. We’ve always been able to do that, one way or another. ... We know weather can always throw us a curve ball.”