Independence Day takes on a Hollywood flavor this year as the Boone County Fourth of July Committee offers a packed schedule for "Lights, Camera, Boone County."

In conjunction with the theme, the committee chose Sherry Hitch, who works as a digital compositor for George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic. A three-time Emmy nominee for her television work, Hitch’s talent has created special effects more than 25 movies, including the upcoming release of "Transformers 2"

Events are scheduled June 13 through July 4. A complete list of event is at the festival’s Web site: www.bccn.boone.in.us/4th.

All events — except for organizational dinners and the carnival — cost nothing for the public to attend.

The Boone County Fourth of July Committee sponsors the following events:

n Almost Anything Goes: Sponsored by The Farmers Bank, this annual event pits teams against each other in a series of silly contests ranging from inner tube races to food eating relays to musical ice buckets. The games will have a Hollywood theme in conjunction with the theme.

Teen competition is scheduled June 29, with adults going at it June 30, while the experienced (age 40 and older) take the field on July 1. All contests begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Lebanon Memorial Park bandstand. Registration deadline is this Friday. To enter, pick up an entry form from The Farmer’s Bank, Lebanon Sports and Fitness, the Lebanon Library or The Lebanon Reporter and mail it as directed along with a $20 entry fee. Entry fees will be refunded to all teams not selected for this event. Questions may be directed to event co-chairs Steve Cooper at (765) 891-0086 or Ann Kincaid at (765) 482-6077.

The Lebanon Area Boys and Girls Club hosts the pre-teen Almost Anything Goes contest starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 27.

n Fourth of July Parade: More than 100 units are expected to participate in the annual parade. An estimated 10,000 to 25,000 line the parade route to see floats, bands and other favorites. The parade starts at 2 p.m. at the Lebanon High School parking lot.

n Fireworks: The Fourth of July would not be complete without fireworks, and this year’s estimated 22-minute show begins around 10 p.m. at Lebanon Middle School.

n Concerts: Three rock and roll acts are part of this year’s Fourth of July concert schedule at Lebanon Memorial Park. One Night Stand Band performs July 2 while Blonde Sonja plays on July 3. Also, the Lebanon Fire Department Auxiliary will host the Flying Toasters on June 27.

All concerts start at 7 p.m. at the Lebanon Memorial Park bandstand except the Flying Toasters, which starts at 7:30 p.m.

The Boone County Community Band performs twice this holiday season: 6 p.m. June 21, as part of the Lebanon Community Arts Council festival and 6 p.m. June 30, near the Lebanon Memorial Park shelter house.

A new event this year is the inaugural Boone County Fourth of July Battle of the Bands contest sponsored by Parky’s Smokehouse. The contest begins 6 p.m. Friday, June 26 at the Lebanon Memorial Park Bandstand.

Competing bands will consist of at least two members age 18 and younger. Bands will play a 15-minute or three-song set.

Parky’s also will serve dinner at the park’s small shelter from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Lebanon Community Arts Festival serves as the unofficial kickoff for the busy holiday celebration. The three-day event starts 6 p.m. Friday, June 19, with “Red, White and Blues.” Lebanon Vitalization Inc. is hosting that inaugural downtown celebration, which features music from Sugar Creek Big Band and the Greyhound Dixieland Band; an art exhibit by Sugar Creek Art Center; wine tasting; and a frog-jumping contest.

Other events that weekend are a the Lebanon Community Youth Orchestra Festival and Side-by-Side Concert starting 6 p.m. June 20, at the Lebanon High School Auditorium, and "Art in the Park" on June 21, featuring an art exhibit at 4 p.m. and a Boone County Community Band concert at 6 p.m.

The Poor Jacks Carnival also returns to Lebanon for a 6-day engagement beginning June 29 through July 4. Various rides and games will be featured at the carnival at Lebanon Memorial Park.

The Fourth of July Committee works with other community groups and organizations to help schedule events in conjunction with the annual celebration.

Contests for the Beautiful Baby, Little Miss Boone and Little Boy Boone are scheduled June 20, at Lebanon Memorial Park. Registration for those contests occurs 9 to 10 a.m. this Saturday at Lebanon Memorial Park’s small shelter. Beautiful Baby contestants must be at least age 1 and no older than age 2 on July 4. Little Miss Boone and Little Boy Boone contestants must be age 5 on July 4.

Six organizations are having dinners during the festival. See the accompanying schedule for times and dates.

Sporting events also occur around the Fourth of July holiday. The Lebanon Educational Foundation Firecracker 3-on-3 basketball tournament starts at 8 a.m. on June 20.

On June 28, Central Christian Church will host a community church service starting at 10 a.m. at the Lebanon Memorial Park bandstand.

Also, on June 28, Symphony at Sunset Group Inc. will host the annual Symphony at Sunset, featuring the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $10, and are available from symphony members or at several local businesses.





2009 BOONE COUNTY FOURTH OF JULY

CALENDAR OF EVENTS



Saturday, June 6

Beautiful Baby Contest Registration (sponsored by Preceptor Delta Iota)

Time: Registration 9 to 10 a.m.; Drawing 10 a.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park small shelter



Little Miss Boone County Registration (sponsored by Xi Alpha Sorority)

Time: Registration, 9 to 10 a.m.; Drawing at 10 a.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park small shelter



Little Boy Boone Registration (sponsored by Xi Eta Nu)

Time: Registration, 9 to 10 a.m.; Drawing at 10 a.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park small shelter



Monday, June 15

Little Miss Boone Tea (hosted by Xi Alpha Sorority)

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Bandstand



Friday, June 19

"Red, White and Blues"

Sponsored by Lebanon Community Arts Council

Time: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Downtown Lebanon



Saturday, June 20

Beautiful Baby Contest (sponsored by Preceptor Delta Iota)

Time: 9 a.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park bandstand



Little Miss Boone County Contest (sponsored by Xi Alpha Sorority)

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park bandstand



Little Boy Boone Contest (sponsored by Xi Eta Nu)

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park bandstand



LEF Firecracker 3 on 3

Time: 8 a.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park



Lebanon Community Youth Orchestra Festival Concert and Side-by-Side Concert

Sponsored by Lebanon Community Arts Council

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Lebanon H.S. Auditorium



Saturday, June 21

Art in the Park

Sponsored by Lebanon Community Arts Council

Time: 4 to 6 p.m. (art exhibit); 6 p.m. concert by Boone County Community Band

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park



Friday, June 26

Boone County Battle of the Bands

Sponsored by Parky's Smokehouse

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Bandstand



Parky's Pork Barbecue Dinner

Time: 5 to 8 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Small Shelter



Saturday, June 27

Pre-Teen Almost Anything Goes

Time: 9 a.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Bandstand



St. Joseph Chicken Bar-B-Que & Silent Auction/Raffle

Time: 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Location: St. Joseph's Parish Hall



Lebanon Fire Department Auxiliary Dinner

Time: 5 to 7 p.m. Park

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Small Shelter

Flying Toasters concert

Time: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Bandstand





Sunday, June 28

Community Church Service hosted by Central Christian Church

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Bandstand



Symphony at Sunset

Time: 5 p.m.

Location: Abner Longley Park



Monday, June 29

Carnival Begins



Tri Kappa Ice Cream Social

Time: 5 to 7 p.m.

Lebanon Memorial Park Shelter House



Teen Almost Anything Goes (Sponsored by The Farmers Bank)

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Bandstand



Tuesday, June 30

Music Boosters Steak Dinner

Time: 5 p.m.

Lebanon Memorial Park Shelter House



Boone County Community Band concert

Time: 6 p.m.

Lebanon Memorial Park Shelter House



Adult Almost Anything Goes (Sponsored by The Farmers Bank)

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Bandstand





Wednesday, July 1

Central Christian Church Dinner (Italian Beef Dinner)

Time: 5 p.m.

Lebanon Memorial Park Shelter House



Experienced Almost Anything Goes (Sponsored by The Farmers Bank)

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Bandstand





Thursday, July 2

Advance Fire Department Pork Chop Dinner

Time: 5 p.m.

Lebanon Memorial Park Shelter House



One Night Stand Band (concert)

Time: 7 to 9 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Bandstand



Friday, July 3

Blonde Sonja (concert)

Time: 7 to 9 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Memorial Park Bandstand



Saturday, July 4

Last Night of Carnival



Boone County 4th of July Parade

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Primarily North Meridian and North East streets



Fireworks

Time: 10 p.m.

Location: Lebanon Middle School