'Let freedom ring'

As summer temperatures heat up, local organizers are preparing excitedly for Fourth of July festivities in Bloomington. \nHighlighting the celebration is the annual Monroe County Fourth of July Parade in downtown Bloomington. \nThe parade is a "good example of the variety of interests in Monroe County," said Talisha Coppock, director of the Downtown Bloomington Commission. "It is a longstanding tradition of community spirit and an overall great day for the entire community." \nThe festivities will be stocked with more than 500 participants -- including an array of floats, bands, motorized vehicles and marching units -- and will begin at 3 p.m. from 11th and Morton streets and continue down Walnut Street toward the courthouse square. The parade is being sponsored by American Legion Post 18 and the Grand Marshall is George Keller, Legionnaire of the Year. In addition, live bands and more than 30 arts and crafts vendors will be present on the square throughout the day. The Bloomington Community Band will be playing patriotic songs on the Monroe County Courthouse lawn from 2 to 3 p.m. The celebration is scheduled to last from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A crowd of more than 10,000 is expected to attend this year's celebration.\nAdding to the Friday's festivities is the Monroe County Historical Society, which is organizing Monroe County's 185th birthday party. The celebration will take place at the Historical Society on 202 E. Sixth St., one block east of the courthouse square. More than 40 arts and crafts booths will be present along with an assortment of food vendors. Booths will be selling oil and acrylic art work, stone and wood sculptures, woven goods and other arts and crafts items. The Bloomington Classical Guitar Society, Ian Arthur on the Bagpipe, the Knob Creek Moonshiners and other bands will be on hand performing throughout the day.\n"Last year we did the birthday celebration on April 10, (the actual date of Monroe County's establishment) but it was so cold not a lot of people attended," said Kari Price, executive director of Monroe County Historical Society. "Now we're doing it on July 4 to take advantage of the nice weather and parade."\nFourwinds Resort and Marina on Lake Monroe is also planning a Fourth of July celebration for Friday. Live music and food will be present lakeside and a display of fireworks on the beach will take place at dusk. \n"This is our biggest weekend of the year. We will be providing family programs on the water, recreation on land, cookouts and fireworks," said Michelle Smith, director of Sales and Marketing at Fourwinds.\nThere is a $4 in-state fee and $5 out-of-state fee charged to those vehicles entering the Fourwinds premises.