BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary July 4 with a full day of Freedom Fest events, from pickleball and a parade to live music and fireworks in downtown Inez.
The celebration will include activities at several locations before moving to Courthouse Square for the evening program.
“We have a tremendous lineup this weekend,” Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty said. “We want to welcome all to Freedom Fest, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.”
Lafferty said the fireworks show has doubled in size.
“There is no place you can go in eastern Kentucky and see a better or bigger fireworks display than we’re having here in Inez,” he said.
The day begins at 9 a.m. with the Patriot Pickleball Paddle Showdown, hosted by the Martin County Tennis Club at the Collier Center courts. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. The doubles tournament is $20 per team and will include a trophy for the winner and recognition for best festive attire.
At 10 a.m., children can take part in Red, White & Reel Fishing at Milo Lake, where kids fish for free.
At 10:30 a.m., OWE1 Basketball will host a 3-point shootout at the Collier Center. The event is open to fourth grade and up, with divisions for middle school, high school, college and adults. The format is single elimination, with trophies, OWE1 gear and bragging rights for the winners. The entry fee is $5.
Swimming is free at the Martin County Pool from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The pool will close from 6 to 7 p.m. to prepare for Freedom Float Night, which runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Swimmers can bring floats and enjoy night swimming, food, specialty drinks, music and fireworks.
A free family-friendly Freedom Side-by-Side/ATV Ride will leave at 1 p.m. from the parking lot at the Collier Center. The ride will last three to four hours over mild terrain, with some hard-top riding. Riders are encouraged to decorate their machines in red, white and blue and return in time to join the parade.
Brothers in Christ will host a free Cruise-In from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Extension Office parking lot across from the Martin County Senior Citizens Center. Cars, trucks and classics are welcome.
The Martin County Kiwanis Club Independence Day Parade will line up at 4:30 p.m. at the Martin County Pool and begin at 5 p.m. Participants are encouraged to decorate cars, trucks, floats, ATVs and golf carts in their best red, white and blue.
Evening events begin at 5:30 p.m. on the main stage at Courthouse Square with “Salute to Old Glory,” a flag dedication ceremony. Veterans and first responders will be honored at 5:45 p.m.
From 6 to 9 p.m., Freedom Fest will feature “Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights,” with live music on the main stage, food trucks and vendors.
A Liberty Bounce Zone with free inflatables for children will also run from 6 to 9 p.m. at Courthouse Square.
The celebration will close with a Grand Fireworks Spectacular at 9:45 p.m. The Inez Volunteer Fire Department will launch the fireworks from the hill behind the Collier Center.
Martin County Tourism is also inviting businesses and residents to take part in the Freedom Fest Challenge by decorating the outside of homes and storefronts for July 4. The theme is simple: light up Martin County in red, white and blue.