4th of July Celebrations Start June 30 in Tuskegee
Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford has proclaimed the 4th of July weekend in Tuskegee as a Celebration and Commemoration of a “Double Birthday”, in honor of the birthday of the United States of America, July 4, 1776, and the birthday of Tuskegee University, July 4, 1881.
The July 4th weekend begins on Thursday, June 30th with the opening of the first Carnival/City/County Fair to be held in downtown Tuskegee at the City football field, located on School Street. The Fair and Carnival will feature all of the exciting features similar to the State Fair which is held each year in Montgomery. Thursday will also feature the opening of the City Pool for the public from 12:00-3:00 p.m., and 4 p.m.-6:00 p.m., except Sunday. On Saturday, the Tuskegee Fair will feature a performance by the 572nd Air National Guard Band of the South, at Solomon Knight Baseball Field, downtown on School Street. They will perform Saturday, July 2nd at 6:00 p.m. at the Fair.
Visitors and tourists are invited to visit the Historic Park Sites at Moton Field, Home of the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Tuskegee Institute Historic Site, which features the Carver Museum, and home of Booker T. Washington, “The Oaks”/ The Parks will be open from 8:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. They will be closed on Sunday, but will open again on the morning of the 4th of July.
On Monday morning, the 4th of July, ceremonies honoring Booker T. Washington, and Lewis Adams will be conducted by the Tuskegee Historic Preservation commission. The joint ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. first at the TU cemetery, the burial place of Booker T. Washington, first Principal of TU, followed by a motorcade to Ashdale Cemetery, where the second part of the ceremony will take place at the burial place of TU Founder Lewis Adams. Members of both families will participate in the ceremonies.
Also on Monday morning, the 4th of July, activities will begin taking place on Lake Tuskegee, and will continue all day and into the evening:
The Tuskegee Boat House Concession and Pier will be open to the public. The public is invited to boat, sail, swim (at your own risk), fish, and enjoy the lake for picnicking, games, and family fun.
6:00 p.m. D.J. music “On the Pier” by “Grass Hopper” (Nathanial Knight) at Presswood Circle on the Lake.
7:30 p.m. Live music by Stan “Chilly” Cook at Presswood Circle on the Lake
9:00 p.m. Fireworks Show over beautiful Lake Tuskegee (Courtesy of the Utilities Board of Tuskegee)
