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A parade of patriots and family are part of the fun.

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Dancing in the streets at last year’s event.

Hot dogs? Check.

Wagons decorated with flags? Check.

Apple pie? A big check.

It doesn’t get more American than the old-fashioned Red, White and Blue on the Green festival, a fourth of July celebration set for Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Summerville Town Square.

From tried-and-true events like the non-motorized parade led by Mayor Berlin G. Myers to new additions like a hot dog eating contest and a “celebrity” dunking booth, the 14th annual event promises all-American fun for all ages.

“Nothing’s more American than a hot dog, baseball and apple pie,” said Jami Sheppard, Executive Director for Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management), the organization putting on the event.

Sheppard is personally making five pans of apple pie for the festival’s All-American Concession Stand.

Last year’s festival drew more than 600 people, Sheppard said.

With activities for all ages like patriotic face painting, music by the Howle Brothers, jump castles, a watermelon eating contest, water balloon tossing contest and a seed spittin’ contest, the group hopes to exceed that number this year.

“We kept the small-town elements but also incorporated new games,” Sheppard said.

Still angry about a speeding ticket? The dunking booth is set to have local police officers as the “celebrities” to dunk.

Ever wonder what to put on a hot dog to make it even more American? The winning recipe of the Fourth of July hotdog contest will be announced at the event. The hot dog will be featured on the menu of local hot dog eatery P-Dogs.

Participants are also encouraged to be part of the festival by entering their decorated wagons, carriages, roller blades, bicycles and tricycles in the non-motorized parade.

“We do a real, full day of family fun,” Sheppard said.

Prizes will be awarded for most patriotic and most original non-motorized display along with a prize for most patriotic pet.

Most of the activities are free of charge or come with small fees, which benefit Summerville D.R.E.A.M.

“A lot of heart and volunteer work went into this,” Sheppard said.

The event will be capped off with a free fireworks display at

Gahagan Sports Complex at 515 West Boundary St.  

“It could really rival any fireworks show in the nation,” Sheppard said.

The public is encouraged to bring a beach blanket and lawn chairs but not coolers or alcoholic beverages.

“It’s a very old-fashioned event,” Sheppard said. “A lot of the people have called and said, ‘I came to this in elementary school and now I’m bringing my (younger relatives).”

For a full schedule with times and locations of events, see Friday’s Journal Scene.

Reach Jenny Peterson at JPeterson@journalscene.com or 873-9424 ext. 216.

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