East Texas

OVERTON -- Overton - New London Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Stars and Stripes Festival Saturday at Overton Community Building and City Park.

The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with a patriotic ceremony at the Community Building, where VFW Post 9185 and Scout Troop 319 will lead a flag ceremony and Bailee Stanley will perform the national anthem, said Allison Klingsick, chamber media relations intern.

A parade around Overton City Park will follow. Children participants are encouraged to patriotically decorate any non-motorized vehicle or even their pet, she said.

Children, from newborn to 7, can compete in the Little Mr. and Miss Firecracker pageant. Contestants will be judged on patriotic costume appearance in three age categories: 0-1, 2-4 and 5-7. The pageant will take place at the Community Building at 2 p.m. The entry fee is $10. Entry forms are available at Overton New London Area Chamber of Commerce, at 101 E. Henderson Highway.

Throughout the afternoon entertainment and karaoke will be on the stage in the park. Disc jockey Eddie Plaisance will provide sound for the event.

At dark, fireworks will be shot over Overton Lake while patriotic music plays. The fireworks are sponsored by the city of Overton.

During the festival, swimming at Overton Pool in City Park will be half price. In addition, concession stands and vendors will be open after 1 p.m., she said.

Members of the chamber are encouraged to decorate their businesses in red, white and blue.

Sponsors for the festival include Clary E&I Services, J.W. Greene Contractors, Citizen's National Bank, Insurance One Agency, Scott's Memorial C.M.E. Church, Blazer Electric and Satellite Services.

For more information, contact Mary Pat Eaves at 903-834-3142.