Staff Writer

Plans are being firmed up for a fun-filled Fourth of July celebration in Troy.

This will be Troy’s second old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration.

Since last year’s event "far exceeded" expectations regarding community involvement plans are to make this year’s celebration bigger and better, said celebration committee chairman Dan Smith.

The old favorites like horseshoes, potato sack races and tug-of-war will be back as a reminder of the good ol’ days, but there will be some new things, as well.

"I want people to get excited about it," Smith said of what is expected to be a day of family fun at the Sportsplex on Enzor Road.

The one-day water theme park for children was such a "huge success" last year that the planning committee is bringing it back, Smith said. The wet area will have slip and slides, lawn sprinklers, water games and volunteers supervising the children.

Other activities for children will include a croquet tournament, Diaper Derby for babies, the three-legged race, paper airplane contest, rod and reel casting, watermelon eating contest, egg and spoon race and chalk drawing on the sidewalk.

For the adults, there will be plenty of entertainment, a barbecue cook off with ribs, a camp stew cook off and pie baking contest.

All the fun and festivities will begin on July 4 at 4 p.m. and last until the last glimmer of color from the fireworks display disappears in thin air.

That is, if we get enough rain before the big day. The lack of rain could put a damper on the Fourth of July by eliminating the possibility of any fireworks display.

"It is a concern because we have a lot of woods close by," Smith said.

Since parking will be limited at the Sportsplex, a shuttle service will be provided.

Anyone wanting to volunteer and reserve a tent for family, team, business or group can call Troy City Hall at 566-6000 or the Park and Recreation Department at 566-4031. To sign up for the barbecue and camp stew cook off, call WTBF at 566-0300.