The 2005 Sopchoppy 4th of July Celebration will be held today, July 4th, at Myron B. Hodge City Park in Sopchoppy, Florida.  Lots of fun and exciting events have been scheduled, so plan to come out and join in the festivities as we celebrate Independence Day in true southern style!
 
The day will begin with the parade at 11:00 a.m. in downtown Sopchoppy.  The park will open to the public at 12:00 noon with the presentation of the flag by the VFW at 12:30 p.m., and a musical performance by Boy Scout Troops 4 & 5.

A Karaoke Contest will be held from 12:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.  The entry fee is $20.00 with the winner taking home half the purse! 

There will be a large selection of arts and crafts booths to visit, as well as many different food booths to tempt the taste buds!  A variety of musical entertainment will be offered throughout the day from 2:15 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., wtih the schedule as follows:

2:15 p.m.                    Local teen band RadioActiveMaterial (RAM)
                                    

                                     (To learn more about RAM, click here!)

3:30 p.m.                    Herman McWaters and the Southband Band - (Country)


                                     To learn more about South Bound Band, click here!)

4:45 p.m.                    Tupelo Ridge Ramblers - (Bluegrass)

6:00 p.m.                    Jason Jones - Nashville Musician and Songwriter

7:15 p.m.                    Wayne's World - (Rock n' Roll, Fifties and Sixties)

8:30 p.m.                   Jason Jones - Nashville Musician and Songwriter

Jason Jones, a 1998 graduate of Wakulla High School, will be the main performer at this year's festival.

In only nine months, 25 year-old Jason Jones went from waiting tables at a local music business haunt to singing demos and co-writing with Nashville's top writers to writing full time for Warner Chappell Music.  His youthfulness, however, belies an older, more seasoned voice.  There is a rawness and a soulfulness in Jason's voice and the music he sings that cuts through the offerings by many current young vocalists.  With a variety of cover songs ranging from John Michael Montgomery and Merle Haggard, to John Mellencamp and Van Halen, coupled with his edgy and energetic original music, Jason is the perfect artist for any club, event or party.

Currently, Jason is hard at work on his artist project along side of his producers, Jimmie Lee Sloas and Scott Hendricks, and his publisher.  Along with writing everyday, he has been performing with his band as many as six nights a week in the Ameristar Casinos, at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, and at other honkytonks in the surrounding areas.  He has opened for such acts as Don Williams, Glen Campbell, The Oakridge Boys, and newcomers, Sugarland.  Also, Jason most recently landed the lead role in an upcoming television show entitled Only in Nashville, about a singer/songwriter who leaves it all behind to make it in country music.  He knows that these are all small yet crucial steps in what can be a long and winding road to the fulfillment of a dream.  It is this attitude, combined with his fresh musical instincts that will no doubt lead Jason to a very long and successful music career.  Says Jason,  "I'm really excited about doing this show and looking forward to it.  I haven't played in my hometown since I had my band in high school!"  For more information about Jason, visit his official website at www.jasonjonesmusic.com.

The celebration will end with a huge fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.  Celebrants are asked to bring something to sit on, either chairs or a blanket.  No grills, ice chests, or alcoholic beverages will be allowed in the park.  Gate admission is a $1.00 donation per visitor.  Be sure to come out and enjoy this wonderful day full of old-fashioned 4th of July family fun! 

The 4th of July Committee would like to thank the following sponsors for making this event possible:


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If you are interested in being a parade participant, please call Bill Lowrie at (850) 962-4138, or you can email him at Billlowrie@earthlink.net.  You can also call City Hall at (850) 962-4611 for entry information.

If you are interested in entering the Karoake Contest, please call City Hall at (850) 962-4611.

Non-vendor booth space is still available.  To reserve a spot, please call City Hall at (850) 962-4611.

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