Members of the Signal Mountain Lions Club will host their annual patriotic celebration of Independence Day with a barbecue and fireworks display Saturday, July 4. This annual event began in 1961 and is held at the playground behind the Country Club.
Food service begins under the main pavilion at 11 a.m. and lasts until around 4 p.m. (or when the food runs out), followed by a fireworks display at around 9:40 p.m.
According to Brian Eades, chairman for this year's event, "The Lions will begin cooking nearly 1,800 pounds of pork around noon on July 3 and slow-cook it over oak and hickory embers throughout the day and night." The controlled fire will be watched over by Club members in four-hour shifts.
The barbecue will be sold in plates with baked beans, cole slaw, and bread, or guests may get a barbecue sandwich. The prices are $6 for plates and $3 for sandwiches. As in past years barbecue will also be sold "to go" by the pound for $9/lb. Hamburgers and hotdogs, Cokes and other soft drinks will also be available. This year, instead of funnel cakes, there will be ice cream, cotton candy, and watermelon for dessert.
In addition to the food, there will be fun and entertainment all afternoon.
Lions will also begin selling tickets for the car raffle which will occur at the Labor Day BBQ on Sept. 7. This year's vehicle is a Ford Focus with automatic transmission, air conditioning, cruise control and more. In addition to the car there will be over 50 other prizes of $50 value to be given away. Tickets are $50.
Just after dusk (about 9:40), a team of professionals will present the fireworks display. Since the fireworks will emit from the golf course driving range, it is important for everyone to remain a safe distance from this area, officials said.
"The entire playground is available for this event and is a great place to bring family and friends. It is a fine opportunity to come and eat, watch a fireworks display, be with your neighbors, support a community event, help the Lions to support community projects, and to assist in eyesight conservation goals. Plan to join the Lions in a patriotic celebration of the 4th of July," said Mr. Eades.
Proceeds from this event help fund the Lions and community projects such as Kids-Sight Screening, vision testing and glasses for the needy, Lions District 12-O Eye Bank at Erlanger Hospital, Lions World Service for the Blind, Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, Tennessee School for the Blind and Tennessee School for the Deaf. Lions also give back to the community with donations to the schools, social services, library, WRES, and with scholarships for college.