Towns throughout the Ohio River Valley are bringing out the stars and stripes to celebrate Independence Day. Events commemorating the Fourth of July have been have been planned across the area.

The city of Maysville has orchestrated an old-fashioned July 4th celebration, complete with a parade and a concert in the park across from the Maysville Conference Center on East Second Street. The concert will be presented by the Limestone Chorale and a group of singers from Ballard High School in Louisville.

These two choirs represented Kentucky in a choral festival commemorating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln held at Kennedy Center, Washington, D. C. in February 2009. This patriotic program will be conducted by Coralie Runyon-Jones and Noel T. Weaver. 

Runyon-Jones will also be serving as the grand marshal of this year's July 4th parade.

"I am so glad to get to be a part of this year's celebration," said Runyon-Jones. "In times of war it is good to know that we can take the time to celebrate 1776. I am very proud of this nation and our heritage. It will be a wonderful day to reflect on being part of America."

The parade will begin at 6 p.m., and will be followed by the free concert in the park. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair to the concert, which will be hosted in the newly paved and landscaped parking lot across from the conference center.

The Fourth of July concert will include "The Testament of Freedom" by Randall Thompson, "Words of Lincoln" by Rentz, "Workin' for the Dawn of Peace" by Jeffers, "Homeland" by Stroop, and "America the Beautiful" arranged by Mulholland.

Also in Maysville on July 4:

— 8 a.m., Knights of Columbus 5-K Run at Limestone and Second Street.

— 11:30 a.m., Limestone YMCA Baby Show in the parking lot Across from Maysville Conference Center.

— 4:45 p.m., Wald LLC Bicycle Decorating Contest at Rotary Park.

— 5 p.m., Community Band at the Second Street Mall.

— 5:30 p.m.. parade line-up, Second Street under trestle.

— 6 p.m., parade with Grand Marshal Coralie Runyon-Jones

— 7 p.m., Patriotic musical performance by Limestone Chorale and Ballard High School in the lot across from Maysville Conference Center.

— 8-10 p.m., Jingles the Clown, music by Music N-Motion, and food at the Limestone Landing.

— 10 p.m. , Fireworks

Fleming County will be celebrating at the Rec Park on July 4. The day will begin with a 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. Carnival festivities and events will also take place throughout the day including a talent show; participants can register between 4-5 p.m. Registration for the baby show begins at noon and a pork tenderloin dinner will be served beginning at 5 p.m. An antique car show, cornhole tournament, bingo, and a backyard carnival are also planned Fireworks begin after dark..

Vanceburg will begin festivities Saturday at 7 a.m. with the Jim Bob Brown Memorial Catfish Tournament at the Vanceburg Fire House on Front Street. The tournament will be followed by the annual baby show at the Lewis County Courthouse, an antique appraisal show will at the G.M.T. Visitor Center, and Gary Sparks will D.J. and have karaoke at Scott Memorial Park. The country and bluegrass show will begin at 2 p.m. A cruise in and burn out are set for Saturday night. Fireworks will begin along the Ohio River at 10 p.m.

Augusta will celebrate Independence Day on July 3 and 4 at the Augusta Riverpark The fire department has coordinated an annual celebration that will begin at 5 p.m., Friday. They will be selling fish and hamburgers and also offer games. The events on Saturday will begin at 5 p.m., with fire engine rides for the kids. Fireworks will take place along the river at 10 p.m.

The Ripley, Ohio Lions Club will present its annual July festival on Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4 at the Lions Club Park on Front Street. Food, drink, poker and kids’ games will begin at 10 a.m., each day. The fireworks display will be at dark on Saturday.

Music will be provided Friday and Saturday. A pie and cake contest and auction, corn hole tournament, chili cook-off, and a kids fishing contest and kids pet show are also part of the festivities.

Aberdeen's Celebration in the Park will include a talent show, lip sync and karaoke contest, on July 4. Also there will a pet show at noon, look alike contest and husband call at 2:30 p.m., pizza eating contest, a parade at 4 p.m., cruise-in, gospel group, and additional live music.

Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.

Contact Barbara Goldman at barbara.goldman@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 274.