Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
The nation will celebrate freedom on Thursday and area residents will join in on the festivities in different ways.
The largest crowd will gather, as usual, at Clovis’ Greene Acres Park all day for the 20th Smoke on the Water events. Fireworks highlight festivities beginning at dark, around 9 p.m.
Smoke on the Water will also include a skateboarding competition and a three-on-three basketball tournament as well as the Freedom Car Show, live music and musical performances, and even a pie eating contest.
“For twenty incredible years, we’ve lit up the night sky and filled the air with the sights and sounds of freedom, making this event a beloved tradition in our community,” according to event sponsor, the Mix 107.5 radio station.
Activities begin about 10 a.m.
Roosevelt County will not be celebrating with its traditional community fireworks display due to the Chamber of Commerce’s vendor dropping out last minute. But celebrations are planned anyway.
Simple Simon’s Pizza will host its second annual Independence Day Bash, which will include vendors, food trucks, and various activities. Live music will also be provided by Uncle Mike’s.
Chris Gay, the owner of Simple Simon’s, said the event is free and free for vendors and food trucks that decide to take part in the celebration.
“When I was in the Air Force overseas, a lot of bases did Independence Day bashes,” Gay said. “Everyone got to enjoy it.”
Gay said he wanted the community to be able to stay in Portales to celebrate the holiday, rather than having to drive somewhere. He hopes it will grow in the future to be “bigger and better” each year.
The event will run from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. Thursday with a pizza eating contest at noon and a wing eating contest at 5.
Gay said anyone wishing to sign up for the eating contests should call Simple Simon’s at 575-226-2229.
Those wishing to sign up as a vendor or have their food truck at the event should also call the store or the Chamber of Commerce at 575-356-5354.
It all happens directly behind Simple Simon’s and McDonalds in the lot at 113 N Ave I in Portales.
Other events in the area are as follows:
n Melrose Fourth of July celebration is at the high school football field. Events start at 7 p.m. with a hot dog meal, followed by fireworks about 8:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the show.
n A Fourth of July celebration in Causey: From 4 p.m. until fireworks are over at the Causey Community Center and park. There will be a potluck dinner with a grill available for anyone to use. Games for all ages as well as a bouncy house, fire pit, cotton candy, snow cones, photo booth, and a water balloon fight at 6 p.m. Organizers ask attendees to bring a game and dish to share. For more information, call 575-273-4249.
n Floyd Fourth of July Celebration: Event will last from 7 p.m. until fireworks end at the Floyd schools football field. Attendees can expect hot dogs and fellowship. The event is sponsored by the Village of Floyd, Floyd Fire Department, and Floyd Lions Club.
n Elida’s Fourth of July celebration will start with a barbecue meal hosted by the fire department at noon. Sides and desserts for the meal are potluck style. Games for all ages will follow the meal, and will include turtle races, sack races, stock horse races, three-legged races and an egg toss contest. The day will end with fireworks at the high school track.
