Churches, City Host Holiday Activities: American Idol Contestant Patrick Hall To Sing Sunday
Fourth of July Brings World Champion Jump-Roper
Last updated Friday, June 29, 2007 10:05 PM CDT in News
By Richard Dean Prudenti
THE MORNING NEWS
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BENTONVILLE -- Fireworks, family activities and freedom songs are among the attractions that make up two events next week celebrating the Fourth of July.
The First Baptist Church of Bentonville will Celebrate America with several special guests on Sunday. These include 2006 American Idol contestant Patrick Hall, who will sing "Cry Freedom" by David T. Clydesdale with the church choir and orchestra on the Bentonville square.
At the end of that song, event organizers will release white doves, said Jody McAnally, executive director of Celebrate America.
The choir and orchestra will sing various patriotic songs starting at 7 p.m. Also singing will be 2007 Miss Arkansas Katie Bailey.
Actor Willie Aames and his wife, Maylo Upton Aames, will narrate the program. Aames is known for his role on the sitcom, "Eight Is Enough," and recently as the star of the children's show, "Bible Man."
McAnally said she's hoping for more than 5,000 attendees, and recommends coming about 6 p.m. when the church will serve free hot dogs, ice cream, dessert cakes, sodas and water. She also recommends bringing lawn chairs.
The event includes a tribute to every branch of the armed forces.
"It's just a time that we can do something other than shoot firecrackers to pay tribute to our military that are currently serving and the veterans that have served. ... It's about them," she said.
Organizers originally planned a military flyover, but earlier this week the church found out the aircraft was not available from the 188th Fighter Wing Base in Fort Smith.
Cpl. Aaron Mankin of Rogers, a recipient of the Purple Heart, will speak at the event.
In May 2005, Mankin was assigned to Operation Matador, an 11-day mission in northern Iraq. On the seventh day, Mankin was wounded near Al Qaim when an improvised explosive device destroyed his 26-ton vehicle, killing six Marines. He underwent almost 30 surgeries and physical therapy at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
For more information about this event, go to www.celebrate-america.com.
Bentonville and Word of Life Fellowship are putting on the sixth annual 4th Fest on Wednesday.
Activities will occur throughout the day, starting at noon, including a dunk tank, climbing wall and Skate Park activities, said Bobbie Fletcher, 4th Fest director and children's pastor for Word of Life Fellowship.
World Champion jump-roper Peter Nestler will be one of the special guests.
"This guy is amazing ... He's somebody we wanted to bring in the past, as a church, but haven't had the opportunity. We thought this was the perfect setting," Fletcher said.
Fletcher first met Nestler at a children's conference a couple of years ago in Tulsa, Okla., his hometown. Fletcher said he can jump rope sitting down, lying down, upside down and on a unicycle.
"I guarantee you it'll make you want to get a jump rope and see if you can do it," she said.
For more information about Nestler, go to www.jumprm.com.
4th Fest
Bentonville and Word of Life Fellowship organized the sixth annual 4th Fest, to be held at Memorial Park in northeast Bentonville from noon to 10 p.m. July 4.
All-Day Attractions
* Free swimming at the pool
* Activities at the Skate Park
* Inflatables
* Dunk tank
* Climbing rock wall
* NASCAR simulator
* Food vendors
* Possible hot air balloon tethered rides
Scheduled Performances
2 p.m. -- Sons of the Most High
3 p.m. -- The Truth about Moviestars
4 p.m. -- Jump Rope Master Peter Nestler
6 p.m. -- Untamed Burden
7 p.m. -- The Oasis band
8 p.m. -- The Wedding band
9:15 p.m. -- Fireworks display
Entrances to the park from Moberly Lane and John DeShields Boulevard will be closed after 4:30 p.m. The only entrance will be the first park entrance from Northeast "S" Street.
Source: Staff Report
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