Happy Independence Day from Oxford and YAC

America is turning 238 years old this Friday and Oxford and the YAC  have big plans to celebrate.
For those who count Thursday as the beginning of the holiday weekend — especially your out-of-schoolers — may want to Leapfrog’s Firework Bash.
The Firework Bash begins at 7 p.m. at the Lyric. The festivities continue until 10 p.m. when two Oxonians will be crowned Mr. and Miss America. Dress is casual and a silent auction and door prizes mark this party atmosphere. For your musical enjoyment, The Bouffants are the featured act for the evening.will be entertaining the Firework Bash. Ticket prices are $25. For more information, contact Teresa Adams, Leapfrog director, at leapfrogdirector@gmail.com or 662-801-7978.
If you want to celebrate America’s birthday early on Friday morning, get your running shoes out for the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society’s ninth annual “Stars & Stripes on the Square” 5K classic. Registration begins at 6 a.m. on Friday, but earlier online registration is available through its website, www.oxfordpets.com. All benefits from the race go to the shelter. There will be another Fun Run opportunity after the first race starting at  8:30 a.m.
Something Southern will follow up the races with the Fourth of July Children’s Parade on the Square. Participants line up beginning at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the parking lot on the north side of East Jackson Avenue, next to Something Southern.
Children can ride their bicycles in the parade if they decorate it for Independence Day. Antique and show cars will also participate. Enjoy a pet costume competition with prizes as the parade progresses. Floats are competing for Most Patriotic and Most Unique. Judging for the parade will take place along the route with a closing ceremony including ribbons for the winners.
Oxonians are being treated to a new competition at this year’s celebration: It’s called Slice of Americana and  PMQ Pizza Magazine is bringing together pizza makers — sometimes called pizzaiolos — from throughout United States to compete in a pizza culinary competition at the Powerhouse. The competition starts at 10:30 a.m. and continues until 3:30 p.m.  Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans musicians will entertain attendees as they enjoy handcrafted pizza and help the judges choose a winner. The top pizza-maker will join the U.S. Pizza Team and receive a free trip to Italy to compete in World Pizza Championships in 2015. Tickets are $10 for those aged 13 or above, $5 for ages 5 to 12, and free for age 4 and under. The tickets include free pizza, a ballot and beverages.  For more information, contact Melanie Addington is available via Melanie@pmq.com.
The sun will be still be shining at 4 p.m. and those not-as-yet-worn-out July 4 celebrators can enjoy the children’s activities in the Grove. Attraction include music, a petting zoo, pony rides and train rides as well as bouncy castles and face-painting and balloons. Plenty of refreshments will be on hand to beat the heat.
A couple hours later at 6 p.m., the Independence Day Ceremony in the Grove will focus on honoring our local service men and women.
An half-hour later at 6:30 p.m. the Grove fun will ramp up even more with a strong regional live music lineup. Those who want to get an early seat for the fireworks at Oxford-University Stadium – Swayze Field can head that way as the stadium gates open at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will explode at 9 p.m. to send America off on its 238th year.
The LOU Fourth of July Committee is responsible for the packed weekend in collaboration with the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce.
Here are some more fireworks images from last year’s Oxford celebration to get you in the mood:
  
HottyToddy.com staff report