BY TRACY LEE TATE
Times Editor
LAKE BUTLER — The weather is hot and summer is almost (officially) here and that means the annual Lake Butler Rotary Club’s Independence Day Celebration is just around the corner, offering fun and entertainment on a day celebrating our Nation’s freedom.
The celebration is set for Saturday, July 2 at the Lakeside Park in Lake Butler.
If you want to enter the annual fishing contest you had better be up early, as registration is set for 4 a.m. for the Tommy Spires Memorial Bass Fishing Tournament, hosted by the Lake Butler Rotary Club. Boats will launch at daylight and weigh-out is set for 10 a.m. Registration is on-site prior to the beginning of the tournament and the fee is $50 per fisherman. Prizes include: First Place – Largest Bass (Lbs.) – $1,000; Second Place – Second Largest Bass (Lbs.) – $500 and Third Place – Largest Trash Fish or Others – $250. A number of items, such as a cooler, tackle, gift certificates and more, will be raffled at weigh-in.
The popular foot races will be held early, before it gets as hot as it is promised to be. Competitors in both races may register to compete prior to the event on site. The Fun Run will begin at 7 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8 a.m. Also starting early will be the Lake Butler Rotary Club 4th of July Car Show, that begins at 9 a.m. (and will run through 1 p.m.). Registration is on site prior to the show. Prizes will be awarded based on popular vote and will include: First, Second and Third Places in the Best of Show Category, with additional awards for the Best Antique, the Best Muscle Car and the Best Truck. Entry fee is $20 per vehicle.
Vendors of all types must pre-register, with their fees postmarked no later than June 21, 2022. Applications and vendor information may be found online at [email protected] to the attention of Jody Read and may be mailed to Lake Butler Rotary, attn. Jody Read, P.O. Box 767 Lake Butler, FL 32054. Fees vary with the type of vendor and size of area needed for set-up.
Vendors will be allowed to start setting up at 5 a.m. and will be on hand until after the fireworks. Vendors will include food trucks, food booths, local arts and crafts vendors and other types of retail booths. There will also be a number of booths manned by event sponsors, non-profit organizations and a Craft Fair at the Hal Y. Maines Community Center. There will also be a bandstand with live entertainment set up at the big pavilion in front of the community center. Union County Emergency Medical Services will be on hand in case someone needs aid and the Union County Sheriff’s Office will have deputies on site to ensure everyone’s safety.
In addition to all of the other fun, the entries in the Lake Butler Mayor’s Art Award competition and the judging of the entries will be held at the mayors tent. Although the competition rules call for the artist’s entry forms be turned in to Lake Butler City Hall no later than July 17, the artists will bring their work to the tent on the day of the show. The entry fee is $5, with the winner taking home $500, the second place entry winning $200 and third place winning $100. It should be noted that the first place entry will become the property of the City of Lake Butler and will be displayed at city hall. The show will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with the judging taking place at 10:30 a.m.
Of course there will be fireworks to conclude the day. The show will start at twilight and will be put on by the same sky painters that did the show for the Union County Anniversary Celebration. After the fireworks everyone will be tearing down their booths and tables and getting ready to head home. It promises to be a fun day for all ages and, as always, one of the key events in the Union County calendar.
