Fireworks highlight 4th of July events

By TONY FYFFE
BSN Editor

The coronavirus pandemic is not stopping cities in the Big Sandy region from celebrating Independence Day this weekend. Fourth of July events are planned Saturday in Louisa, Paintsville, Prestonsburg and Inez.
In Louisa, festivities are being kept to a minimum, with a parade scheduled for 10 a.m. and a fireworks display at dark. Officials encourage local residents and organizations to participate in the parade by decorating their vehicle, having a float or riding a bicycle. Line-up for the parade will begin at 9 a.m. in the Louisa Plaza parking lot. The fireworks are sponsored by the city of Louisa, the Lawrence County Fiscal Court and Lawrence County Tourism. Louisa Mayor Harold Slone urges those attending the festivities to follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines, and remain in their vehicles or maintain social distancing outside of their vehicle during the parade and fireworks. Slone said no candy or other items can be thrown or passed out during the parade due to the coronavirus. In Johnson County, Paintsville Tourism will host a live concert Saturday at 7 p.m. at Paint Creek Park featuring the Sons of FM band, with fireworks beginning at “dark thirty.” The show will also go on in Floyd County with a “grand fireworks display” that, according to Prestonsburg Tourism, will be “wonderful.” Fireworks will begin around 10 p.m. In Martin County, Inez Fire and Rescue will sponsor a fireworks show Saturday night beginning at 9:30 “or whenever it is dark,” according to the department’s Facebook page. The fireworks will be shot off beside the Roy F. Collier Community Center.