Double-barrelled fireworks set for July 4

EUREKA SPRINGS -- Those lamenting the loss of the annual Independence Day fireworks extravaganza at Lake Leatherwood City Park have little reason for concern this year. There will be plenty of excitement to go around.

According to Holiday Island Chamber of Commerce Event Coordinator Pam Hinson, the 3rd annual Holiday Island Lights festival will offer its guests "an old-fashioned small-town family friendly event" that will include activities for children, including a 3-legged race at 5 p.m., free mini-golf from 4 to 8 p.m., hamburgers and hot dogs, novelty ice cream, fresh peach ice cream, watermelon, face painting, balloon animals, washer horseshoes and a pulled pork dinner benefit for Kate Lucariello at The Barn in Holiday Island from 5 to 7.

All other activities will take place at the Holiday Island Recreation Center, and families are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.

The afternoon's cornucopia of fun will culminate at 9:30 p.m. with a fireworks display on the 9-hole golf course.

For details, call 253-7700.

In Eureka Springs

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, located seven miles south of Eureka on Hwy. 23S, will hold its own 12th annual Independence Day celebration starting at 3 p.m. on July 4 with a four-in-one rock festival featuring Sean Carney, Fast Johnny Ricker, Blues Notions and Cedar-n-Sage playing until 9 p.m.

Families are invited to bring lawn chairs and coolers and their own fireworks, or purchase them on-site and detonate them in a user-friendly and legal environment.

This family-oriented festival will go on until midnight, with the state's largest class 3 fireworks show taking place at dusk.

For details, call 253-5841.