By Richard Carrier, Contributing Writer
richwrites@netzero.net

It started out 15 years ago as a way for the Huguenot Fire Department Company Two’s volunteers and their families to share the Independence Day experience.

Over the years, according to Fire Chief Tony Blair, “people from the neighborhood just started showing up. I guess we had a hundred cars in the parking lot last year.”

This Fourth of July tradition sparked the plan for a County-wide celebration and this year Chief Blair, Assistant Fire Chief Louis Urbine, and the Huguenot Volunteer Firemen are inviting the entire county to participate.

Anticipating a record turnout, the group has moved the annual July Fourth celebration to the Rocky Oaks Road site of the Bullnanza events. A 15 dollar per carload admission — or 10 dollars and a non-perishable food donation to the local food bank — will get a family an evening full of fun, food and fireworks.

Two bands, Neon Moon and Mo Jo Working will kick off the 5 p.m. event. Various food vendors will keep the guests well fed and five inflatable rides will appeal to all age groups. The largest of the inflatable’s — a 70 foot maze — will offer a challenge to both kids and parents.

“Our biggest goal is to make this a community event,” Assistant Chief Urbine said. “We absolutely want this to be an opportunity for the whole community to get involved,” Chief Blair added.