Park's Annual 'J4' Celebration to Run July 1 through July 6

Morrisons Cove Memorial Park's six-day "J4" celebration will kick off Monday, July 1, and continue through Saturday, July 6, in Martinsburg.

The park has a full slate of events scheduled for its Fourth of July celebration.

Highlights of the week will include the Little Miss Morrisons Cove Pageant on July 1, the agricultural parade on July 2, fireworks shows on July 3 and July 6 and musical entertainment by Nashville recording star Josh Gallagher on July 5.

Concessions will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. each day at the park.

Brumbaugh Fireworks Display Inc. of Williamsburg will provide the fireworks displays at 10 p.m. on July 3 and July 6.

Attendees can start each day at the park's Hershberger Memorial Pool, which will be open daily from noon to 7 p.m.

Little Miss Pageant

The Little Miss Morrisons Cove Pageant will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday in the park's gymnasium. The pageant will be for girls in the Spring Cove School District who completed pre-school through Grade 5.

The pageant will have three age groups: Pre-school (ages 3 to 5), Junior Miss (grades kindergarten through Grade 2) and Miss (Grade 3 through 5).

In addition to a garden tractor pull from 6 to 9 p.m. on opening day, the annual Wing Fest will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. and Back in the Day will perform at the outdoor gazebo from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Ag Parade

The 37th annual agricultural parade will take place on Tuesday, July 2, with the lineup at 5 p.m. and the parade getting under way at 6 o'clock, rain or shine. The parade will get underway along Cross Cove Road and disband at Morrisons Cove Memorial Park.

The parade is held to honor agriculture, the military, area businesses, civic groups and marching units.

The parade committee has named Burket Falls Farm of East Freedom as the parade's honoree. Donald Mingle and Doug and Jo Ellen Mingle will be the parade marshals.

The Everett Railroad Co. again will provide a round-trip train ride from Hollidaysburg to Roaring Spring then to Martinsburg for the annual agricultural parade. Tickets for the excursion are available on the railroad's website at http://www.everettrailroad.com.

If you have questions concerning the parade, please contact Steve Mowry at stemow@aol.com. Confirmation of your participation for the 2019 parade would be appreciated.

Also on July 2, the SharpTones will provide musical entertainment from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the outdoor gazebo

Scheduled on Wednesday, July 3 are a teen dance, musical entertainment by Bone Jacked from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the outdoor gazebo and the first fireworks show.

On Thursday, July 4, will be Fourth of July specials and Cove Idol.

Josh Gallagher will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 5, at the outdoor gazebo. Gallagher, a native of Cresson, was a top four finalist on the singing competition show "The Voice" in 2016.

On Saturday, July 6, there will be an indoor craft show from 5 to 10 p.m. in the gymnasium, musical entertainment by The Dillons from 7 to 9 p.m. at the outdoor gazebo and a fireworks show to conclude the celebration.

Martinsburg Booster Chicken Barbecue

In conjunction with the park's celebration, the Martinsburg Booster Association will hold its annual chicken barbecue on Saturday, July 6, at the Booster Alley Kitchen at the park.

Meals may be picked up at the Booster Alley Kitchen from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. the day of the event or until sold out. Patrons may eat at the adjacent pavilion at the park or may use the convenient drive through from Walnut Street onto 1st Alley.

Ice-cold Richey's iced tea and lemonade and Roaring Spring Bottled water will be available for purchase.

The meal will include a large half chicken, baked beans, applesauce and a cookie. In addition, booster members will offer gargantuan gobs, which will be available to purchase on site.

Tickets for the July 6 barbecue are available at the park, Martinsburg Community Library, Homewood at Martinsburg, First National Bank, Altoona First Bank and from Booster members.

The proceeds from the event will l benefit community projects.