The Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce and the Shelbyville Dairy Queen have made expanded plans for the Fourth of July celebration in Forest Park, E. Ninth Street, in Shelbyville.

“Because July 4 is on a Saturday this year will be a day and a half long event,” said Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce president Tad Mayhall.

Recent high water has forced the closing of the Ninth Street (Dam West) beach, and plans were underway to have the holiday events at Forest Park. The fireworks display and activities were held at Forest Park last year, also as a result of high water at Lake Shelbyville.

“The fireworks will be more aerial this year so that boaters on the lake can still see them,” Mayhall said.

Mayhall encourages not-for-profit groups and organizations to have a booth out at the park.

“We only ask that in return they volunteer a couple of hours of help,” Mayhall said. Contact the Chamber of Commerce office to register a booth.

The Shelbyville Dairy Queen is sponsoring several of the activities for the celebration with the help of the Chamber of Commerce and Community Banks of Shelby County.

“We’re going to be doing a pork chop dinner with Wade’s Meat Market on Friday evening,” said Jennifer Case of Shelbyville Dairy Queen. “There will be pork chop sandwiches, baked beans, cole slaw, ice cream treats.” She added that the ice cream treats include old-fashioned hand-dipped ice cream and Blizzards.

Dairy Queen is also sponsoring a 50s/60s Cruise Night beginning at 4 p.m. Friday evening.

“We thought that having it on Friday evening frees the entrants up to go other places during that weekend. The Chamber of Commerce is giving out t-shirts for every car that comes out,” Case said. “We’ll be cruising around downtown Shelbyville and around the park.”

The Dairy Queen and the Community Banks of Shelby County are co-sponsoring the Little Miss aned Mister Firecracker Pageant on Friday evening for contestants 0-5 years of age.

This year’s schedule of events include:



Friday, July 3

4-8 p.m. - Dairy Queen Pork Chop Dinner

4 p.m. - 50s/60s Cruise Night. No registration fee.

5-6 p.m. Elvis Impersonator

6 p.m. - Little Miss and Mister Firecracker Pageant, ages 0-5 years. Entries are due by June 30. Register at the Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce, 124 N. Morgan, or by calling 217-774-2221.

6-10 p.m. - All Kindz of Soundz live DJ



Saturday, July 4

7-10 a.m. (or until gone) - Breakfast at the Lions Club Building, Forest Park. Sponsored by the Shelby County Sports Club. Menu includes egg casserole, biscuits and gravy, sausage patties, mixed fruit, and drinks. $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under.

10:30 a.m. - Opening Ceremonies

11 a.m. - Kids’ activities begin. Longest ponytail; tallest mohawk or spikes; cutest freckles, patriotic decorated tricycle, bicycle, wagon, stroller, non-electric scooter; all-American girl; all-American boy; oldest person; youngest person. “Bobber” and “Seymour” from the Army Corps of Engineers will also be present.

11 a.m. - Dairy Queen tent opens and serves until after fireworks.

12:30 p.m. - Duck Race at the park pool

2-3 p.m. - Kris’ Power Tumbling Dance and Cheer

3-4 p.m. - Christ Tabernacle Church of Herrick Praise and Company. Singing and drama.

4-5:30 p.m. - A 2008 Award Winning Band from Nashville. This band appeared on American Idol.

4:30-? p.m. - Senior Center grilled chicken dinner

6-9 p.m. - Wes Wheeler Band

8 p.m. - Pearcy’s Taekwondo Glow Weapons Demonstration

9 p.m. - Fireworks



Other events throughout the day include Bingo in the Lions Club Building, 1800s demonstrations, Indian dancers in traditional dress, kids’ bounce house, giant slide, obstacle course, celebrity dunk tank, and volleyball tournaments for adults and youth.

“We are still looking for teams for the volleyball tournament,” said Chamber of Commerce office manager Angela Binnion. Applications are available at the Chamber office, or by calling Tyler Pierce at 217-827-4089.

“It will be a full day of events,” Case said. “Bring out your pop-up tents and lawn chairs and be ready to have a good time.”

“We invite people to come out of the campgrounds and celebrate the holiday with us,” Mayhall said.