CRESTVIEW — Twin Hills Park is the setting for a Fourth of July featuring an old-fashioned picnic, games, fireworks and the new community band’s debut.
Monday the shady groves, walking paths, grassy lawns, picnic pavilions and sports field are expected to throng with thousands of residents celebrating the nation’s 240th birthday and Crestview’s 100th.
“It’s going to be wonderful,” Main Street Crestview Association manager Patti Gonzo said. The association has contracted under the Community Redevelopment Agency to run centennial events.
FOOD AND FUN
Gonzo said multiple food vendors will offer everything from cool shaved ice and ice cream to carnival funnel cakes.
Cub Scouts Pack 799 and the Crestview Recreation Department soccer team will sponsor games, while Hub City BBQ will have both cuisine and knocker balls on hand.
At 4 p.m. the North Okaloosa Community Band, organized by Lee Emerson of UpBeat Music, will debut. Emerson said the band has exceeded his expectations.
“We have grown to more than 50 members!” he said. “We have selected eight pieces to perform.”
Among the numbers is “Within These Hallowed Halls” — a stirring patriotic piece by James Swearingen that fuses “Amazing Grace” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” — which will feature a guest narrator.
“Mayor (David) Cadle will be participating as narrator for the spoken parts,” Emerson said. Cadle was director of the Crestview High School band for 29 years.
FIREWORKS AND SAFETY
The festivities culminate with a fireworks display at 9 p.m., “and yes, they will be at 9 and not at dark,” Gonzo said, seeking to avoid confusion that has occurred over the starting time of past fireworks displays.
The community has been raising money for the fireworks, spearheaded by the Main Street Crestview Association and Allen Turner Chevrolet,” CRA Director Brenda Smith said.
The $20,000 fireworks show is being funded by resident and business donations, Allen Turner Chevrolet and the Main Street Crestview Association.
The City Council voted to cover any shortfall in donations from contingency funds.
And, safety first.
To alleviate the danger of people parking across U.S. Highway 90 and dodging traffic as they dash to Twin Hills Park, city officials encourage attendees to park downtown and use a free shuttle bus service to and from the park.
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WANT TO GO?
Crestview’s Centennial Independence Day Celebration in Twin Hills Park is a free family event.
Here’s the schedule:
2-7 p.m.: Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Family Picnic: food available from vendors, or pack a meal and spread out on the grass. Games on the sports field.
Also: Continuous free shuttle bus between the Amtrak shack, City Hall, the Elder Services/Wilson Street parking lot, and Twin Hills Park gym at Hathaway Street and the Children’s Park. The shuttle service ends at 10 p.m.
4 p.m.: Debut of the North Okaloosa County Community Band at the sports field midfield area.
7 p.m. until after fireworks display: Free shuttle bus between Twin Hills Park gym and the Amtrak shack, City Hall, and Elder Services/Wilson Street parking lot.
9 p.m.: Fireworks
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NORTH OKALOOSA COMMUNITY BAND
The North Okaloosa Community Band, which makes its debut at the Centennial Fourth of July Celebration, will perform:
●“Star Spangled Banner”
●“March On, America!”
●“In Honor of the Fallen”
●“Within These Hallowed Halls (Mayor David Cadle, guest narrator)”
●“Marches of the Armed Forces”
●“American Anthems”
●“1812 Overture”
●“Stars and Stripes Forever”
The band, formed earlier this year, has grown to more than 50 members. Many are former school musicians who have picked up their instruments for the first time since graduation, band organizer Lee Emerson of UpBeat Music said.
“We still need additional players,” Emerson said. “Our group is open to all skill levels and caters especially to older players who may not have played for awhile.”
Emerson said the band also welcomes 11th- or 12th-grade student band members with their school band director’s permission.
“We especially need flutes and trumpets, but all instruments are welcome,” Emerson said.
Call Emerson, 375-5938, for more information.
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TWIN HILLS PARK
Twin Hills Park was a railroad watering pond when Crestview was incorporated in 1916.
The city, with Mayor George Whitehurst’s encouragement, bought it from the L&N Railroad and dedicated it on May 22, 1970.
The city’s library was opened in the park in 1976. After the city sold the building and moved the library to its present location on Commerce Drive, the building was expanded and is today the Robert L.F. Sikes Education Center of Northwest Florida State College.
The park features a walking path with par course equipment, picnic facilities, a fishing bridge, sports fields, a gymnasium, a children’s park, and will be home to the city’s planned dog park.
Crestview’s Centennial Independence Day Celebration in Twin Hills Park is a free family event.
Here’s the schedule:
2-7 p.m.: Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Family Picnic: food available from vendors, or pack a meal and spread out on the grass. Games on the sports field.
Also: Continuous free shuttle bus between the Amtrak shack, City Hall, the Elder Services/Wilson Street parking lot, and Twin Hills Park gym at Hathaway Street and the Children’s Park. The shuttle service ends at 10 p.m.
4 p.m.: Debut of the North Okaloosa County Community Band at the sports field midfield area.
7 p.m. until after fireworks display: Free shuttle bus between Twin Hills Park gym and the Amtrak shack, City Hall, and Elder Services/Wilson Street parking lot.
9 p.m.: Fireworks
—
NORTH OKALOOSA COMMUNITY BAND
The North Okaloosa Community Band, which makes its debut at the Centennial Fourth of July Celebration, will perform:
●“Star Spangled Banner”
●“March On, America!”
●“In Honor of the Fallen”
●“Within These Hallowed Halls (Mayor David Cadle, guest narrator)”
●“Marches of the Armed Forces”
●“American Anthems”
●“1812 Overture”
●“Stars and Stripes Forever”
The band, formed earlier this year, has grown to more than 50 members. Many are former school musicians who have picked up their instruments for the first time since graduation, band organizer Lee Emerson of UpBeat Music said.
“We still need additional players,” Emerson said. “Our group is open to all skill levels and caters especially to older players who may not have played for awhile.”
Emerson said the band also welcomes 11th- or 12th-grade student band members with their school band director’s permission.
“We especially need flutes and trumpets, but all instruments are welcome,” Emerson said.
Call Emerson, 375-5938, for more information.
—
TWIN HILLS PARK
Twin Hills Park was a railroad watering pond when Crestview was incorporated in 1916.
The city, with Mayor George Whitehurst’s encouragement, bought it from the L&N Railroad and dedicated it on May 22, 1970.
The city’s library was opened in the park in 1976. After the city sold the building and moved the library to its present location on Commerce Drive, the building was expanded and is today the Robert L.F. Sikes Education Center of Northwest Florida State College.
The park features a walking path with par course equipment, picnic facilities, a fishing bridge, sports fields, a gymnasium, a children’s park, and will be home to the city’s planned dog park.
WANT TO GO?
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview celebrates centennial-themed Independence Day