ELLOREE -- The town of Elloree will hold its second annual Independence Day Celebration complete with a patriotic program, a picnic and fireworks on Saturday, July 4, at Joe Miller Park.

The town's civic groups are actively involved in planning the event, with the Elloree Garden Club decorating the park in a patriotic theme.

The Masons of Charity Lodge No. 62 of Elloree will partner with the Knights of Pythias to serve hamburgers, while the Mentor Book Club will serve hot dogs with chili and all the fixings. The Elloree Lions Club will have chips and corn on the cob, the Pythian Sisters of Elloree Temple No. 4 will dish out ice cream and the Elloree Water System will slice up watermelons. The Evergreen Garden Club will serve ice-cold beverages.

Members of the Elloree Town Hall staff will be selling tickets for the concessions. Tickets will be $1, and all items will be available for one ticket, except the hamburgers, which will go for two tickets. All proceeds from the event will be used for beautification projects, including flag replacement at the town's parks.

The patriotic program and concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Music will be directed by Shirley Brandenburg, and the program will feature appearances by members of the armed services, local officials and special speaker Lt. Col. Bill Connor, a candidate for state lieutenant governor.

Bring blankets or lawn chairs to relax and enjoy the program, organizers say.

"It's important to always remember and recognize the sacrifices that members of the military and their families have made to protect the freedoms we all enjoy," said Elloree Police Chief Preston Avinger, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years. "I am proud to be a part of this event and look forward to making it a great night to celebrate our country."

For the grand finale, the Elloree Police Department and the Elloree Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor a fireworks show.

For more information, call Elloree Town Hall at 803-897-2821 or e-mail clerk@elloreesc.com.

T&D Correspondent Danielle Sanders can be reached by e-mail at crazyd_308@hotmail.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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