FRANKLIN

Five communities in Western Tidewater have planned activities to celebrate Independence Day, starting today with the City of Franklin and Blackwater Events-sponsored celebration.

The Franklin Cruise-In and Market on Main commence at 4:30 p.m. Under the gazebo at Barrett’s Landing, Steve Owens and Summertime Band will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. There will free hot dogs (while supplies last) starting at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled to start at 9 p.m.

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SEDLEY

On Thursday at 10 a.m., the GFWC Sedley Woman’s Club will host its annual Veteran’s Recognition Program in Sedley Baptist Church on Johnsons Mill Road.

Retired Army Col. Carol Majors will be the featured speaker.

There will be patriotic music, light refreshments and a veterans group photo.

All veterans, active duty military and their families are invited.

For more information, call Anne Bryant at 562-5783.

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NEWSOMS

The town of Newsoms will celebrate the 4th of July with a parade beginning at 5 p.m. The line-up will start at 4:30 p.m. at Newsoms Baptist Church. All entries are welcome.

After the parade there will be music by the Shiloh Band at the Ruritan Building.

There will be hot dogs, chips, sweet corn, cakes, cookies, watermelon, drinks and water. There will be games for kids on the ball field, The Old-Timers’ softball game will be at 8 p.m.

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IVOR

According to newspaper contributor Merle Monahan, Ivor has not had an Independence Day party in more than 20 years, so the town will be making up for lost time. Dozens of events have been planned for the day at the Ivor Municipal Center, starting at noon. The event will open from the main stage with a rendition of the “National Anthem,” sung by former resident Tamara Wellons. This will be followed by a color guard by a local Boy Scout troop. A patriotic concert composed of choir members from six area churches will be performed at 1 p.m., after which more music will be performed by noted bluegrass musician George Atkins and friends. Dances by the Side by Side dance troupe of Wakefield directed by Alexander Scott will start at 2 p.m., while two other music groups will prepare to perform. Rusty Lowe and the Newsome family will be on stage at 4 p.m. and Silver Street will take its turn at 6:30 p.m.

There will be an all-day car/tractor display at the triangle end of the grounds, while during the afternoon on the ball field, there will be demonstrations by the Southampton County Sheriff’s Department’s K9 Unit and the Ivor Volunteer Fire Department. There also will be activities surrounding a hot air balloon — people may board it — and the Nightingale air ambulance, where personnel will explain its mission.

One activity already getting much attention is the dunking tank. Tickets will be sold to see who may be the lucky one to dunk the mayor. An abundance of activities have been planned for the children around the municipal center grounds, including face painting, a kickball game, bounce houses, crafts, watermelon eating contests and a petting zoo.

There will be no shortage of food. Starting at noon, hot dogs, fries and drinks will be sold at the ball field concession stand. Then at 6:30 p.m. a barbecued-chicken dinner will be served by Captain Bob’s Catering at a station on the grounds. There will be a charge for the food, however, sno-cones and popcorn furnished by Ivor Baptist Church will be free. All proceeds from activities and the sale of food will go to benefit various organizations in town. Money from Captain Bob’s Catering, for instance, is targeted for the Ivor Volunteer Rescue Squad, and that from the sale of snacks and drinks will go to the Ivor Athletic Association.

Oh, and fireworks will start at 9 p.m.

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WINDSOR

Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. Church Street will be closed from the intersection at Route 460 and Church Street to the main entrance at Windsor High School at 4:30 p.m. Handicap parking will be available on the Duke Street parking lot, which is accessible from Court Street to A Street to Duke Street.

The following events will be held on Church and Duke streets: There will be music performed by Island Boy; an antique car show and awards; children’s inflatables and activities; children’s parade; dinner; and fireworks. Attendees are asked to bring a dessert to share. Bring a chair or a towel. No pets allowed. The timing of events may be moved up if inclement weather is approaching.