Alamo Slates 15th Annual Salute to the Nation’s Birthday

One of the biggest fireworks shows in the area is planned in Alamo on Saturday, June 26, as the community begins to come together to celebrate the nation’s 245th birthday. Arts and crafts, music, a carnival with rides for adults and children, a car and tractor show, continued from page

and, of course, a grand fireworks presentation at dusk, are part of the festivities. The event, traditionally held in Alamo a week prior to The Fourth, is being staged in the park in downtown Alamo and is being sponsored by the Alamo Volunteer Fire Department, the City of Alamo, and the Wheeler County Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Alamo Volunteer Fire Department.

Every year (except during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020), the holiday celebration has drawn thousands of attendees from as far away as Atlanta and Jacksonville, said event coordinator Shelia Chaney. The little town comes alive with people visiting vendor booths, enjoying rides at the carnival, and witnessing the spectacular fireworks display hailed as one of the biggest and brightest in the area.

Headlining the list of performers who will be entertaining from a platform in the town square are Hank Byrd and the Borderline Band from Atlanta. With its high-energy, rocking country blues music, the band has been an Atlanta music fixture for the past 20 plus years playing around 100 shows a year.

Also performing will be Eric Smith of McRae, who will entertain the crowd with a variety of tunes on the venue stage.

The fun starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday when vendors open up to serve food and offer their wares. Also, for the first time this year, the Lions Clubs of Alamo and Lyons are banding together to offer free eye screenings at the Wheeler County Chamber of Commerce building on Railroad Avenue, just across the street from the festival venue. Screenings will be conducted from 3 until 5 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m.