Today is the Fourth of July, so the City of Perry invites you to take part in their annual celebration happening throughout the day.

The annual parade will kick off the day at 10 a.m., with lineup beginning at 9 a.m. at the east Perry plaza. It will head down Willis Avenue and end up at Pattee Park, where the day’s festivities will continue. There will be food vendors, games, and water fights hosted by the Perry Fire Department. At the bandshell, musical performances include Showtime Dance Studio, the Al Welsh Orchestra, P.O.W., and Anthony Kester and the Skunk River Band.

The day will reach its finale at around 9:45 p.m. with the annual fireworks display, which Perry Chamber of Commerce Director Bob Wilson says is his favorite part of the celebration every year. “I love the whole thing! I love seeing the kids, I love it being a tradition. But I’m partial to the big fireworks display at the end. I just like to kind of sit back and listen to people ‘Ooh and ahh,’ and think, ‘Man, this town did this!’ I just kind of got in the way a little bit to make sure people showed up. But that’s the finale for me.”

This year’s show will feature nearly $13,000 in fireworks, which was paid for completely by community donations. Wilson reminds people that while fireworks are allowed from 4-11 p.m. today, they are not permitted at Pattee Park or any other public area.

Raccoon Valley Radio’s Big Red Radio will be in the parade, and will then be broadcasting live from the celebration from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. today.