Friday, Jul. 04, 2008

Chamber of Commerce Update

Geneva Brett

Our Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration at the Fairgrounds starts off with a bang at 10 a.m. as the Golden State Gunslingers host an Independence Day Shootout to benefit a terminally ill 15-year-old, Freddy Moore, from a Texas fast draw family. The shoot will break for lunch with a pot luck barbecue and then commence the finals about 1 p.m. The public is invited to watch the gunfighters and/or try their own hand at Cowboy Fast Draw in the Gunslingers "Town Alley" (after the pro gunffight) where the public is allowed to try the sport, $5 for 10 shots. Proceeds go to the charity previously mentioned.

At 4 p.m. the Girl Scouts will raise the flag as Councilman Tom Faria sings the National Anthem to commence the traditional part of the event. Food, dry goods and information booths will be open for businesss by 4 p.m. Fridays in the Park will commence at 5 p.m. as ususal. Shout Performing Arts will take the outdoor stage from 4-6 p.m.; vendors will be set followed by JC Starstruck's Karaoke from 6-8 p.m. Those interested in karaoke may sign up at 5 p.m. A watermelon eating contest is also scheduled during karaoke hours, sign-ups on site at 4:30.

The bathtub races and bathing beauty contest have been rescheduled, and will now be held in conjunction with the Chamber's September Street Fair.

Anyone interesting in entering the Side Kick Beard or Mustache Contest to be judged at the Henry Miller Wild West Weekend will need to stop by the Chamber of Commerce's booth to have a photo taken of their clean shaven face. The Chamber will be selling raffle tickets ($5 each, 6 for $20) for one of Marianna's custom made 1800s Ball Gown to wear at the Henry Miller Wild West Weekend's Saturday Night Social. The gown is valued at $350. The Chamber is also raffling a $160 value Trentino Outdoor Fireplace. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.

From 8-9 p.m. the crowd will be wowed by local singer songwriter Terry M. Brown and Tom Faria's band who performed at Relay for Life. The band will play until shortly before the fireworks display.

The free Fireworks display is provided by the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce, and paid for by fireworks sales at the Chamber fireworks booth at San Luis Plaza. For more information please contact the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce 826-2495, event chair David Bond 675-2800, or Chamber President Geneva Brett 587-0573 or by email Geneva.Brett@Century21.com.