New Madrid to host Independence Day celebration Saturday

Thursday, June 28, 2018
Siblings Ramsey Hogan and Braedynn Allred along with their mom, Stacy Allred, took advantage of the cooler temperatures and shade at the riverfront park to paint rocks which will be hidden during the citywide rock hunt during New Madrid's Independence Day Celebration. Slated for June 30, the celebration will also include a barbecue competition, craft and food vendors, music and a fireworks show on the levee at dusk.
Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

NEW MADRID, Mo. — New Madrid residents will kick off their July 4 celebration early and hope everyone will join them.

This year’s Independence Day celebration is scheduled for Saturday with activities throughout the day. It will close with a large fireworks display over the Mississippi River beginning at dusk.

“We are really excited,” said Christina McWaters. “This is our second year of reviving the celebration and we have grown.”

McWaters, who is executive director for the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce, said this year’s celebration will include a barbecue cook-off, farmers’ market, craft vendors, music, beauty pageants and food. One of the most popular events from last year, a giant citywide rock hunt, is slated to return as well.

For the past two weeks volunteers have painted rocks and gathered prizes to award children who find the specially marked rocks. One of those prizes, McWaters pointed out, will make the finder the grand marshal of the New Madrid Christmas parade entitling them to ride with Santa Claus.

The event is free, however organizers emphasized that participants should not begin hunting the rocks until 9 a.m. June 30.

Even before the youngsters are searching the city for rocks, backyard barbecue contestants will fire up their grills for the BBQ Cook-Off.

Registration for the contest, which along with the other events, will be conducted at the corner of Waters Street and Kingshighway, begins at 6 a.m. Contestants will test their cooking skills in three categories: chicken thighs, pork ribs and pork steaks. Meat check-in is at 8 a.m.

The entry fee for the competition is $50. There is a guaranteed pay out of $100 for first place in each category with $300 awarded the reserve champion and $600 going to the grand champion. Participants also can sell their barbecue to the public that day.

The New Madrid Elementary PTO will host the second annual Mr. and Miss Independence Pageants.

The first round of contests begins at 10:30 a.m. These are open to boys from newborn to 2 years old and the categories for girls are newborn to 12 months, 13 to 23 months, 2 years old, 3 years old and 4-5 years old. Registration will be from 9 to 10:15 a.m.

The second round of contests is at 1:30 p.m. following registration from 12:15-1:15 p.m. Categories of competition are for girls 6-7 years old, 8-10 years old, 11-12 years old, 13-15 years old and 16-18 years old.

Entry fee is $30 per child with optional side categories of best dressed and best personality for $5 each. Participants are urged to wear red, white and blue attire.

For more information or registration forms contact April Grissom at 573-521-6523 or by email at pageantlanddolls@gmail.com.

McWaters said a number of additional activities are planned throughout the day including a “floss-off.”

Laughing, McWaters explained, “It is the dance that all the kids are doing. Someone described it as the new fidget spinner.”

Providing music for the contest and throughout the day will be KTMO 106.5.

The list of vendors is long and varied for the 2018 celebration. McWaters said this year’s event will feature booths offering products such as Young Living Essential Oils, Scentsy, Color Street Nails and Paparazzi. Also there will be handmade crafts, homemade goods and even homemade dog treats for sale. Visitors will also be able to purchase food from several vendors.

Booth space is $5 for a 10-foot by 10-foot spot and is still available through the Chamber.

The finale of the celebration is a fireworks display, hosted by the city of New Madrid.

City Administrator Richard McGill said Gladiator Pyro of Poplar Bluff will again put on the display, which is expected to last about 25 minutes.

“Last year exceeded all of our expectations. The company did a great job,” said McGill. “I think being able to sit right on the levee, see the fireworks right there by the river is especially beautiful.”

He noted last year’s event drew a large crowd.

“We are excited to keep growing this and to be able to do something special for our community,” he added.

For more information about events, contact the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce at 573-748-5300 or by email to chambernm@yahoo.com.

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