Rae Nicely

Get ready for an old fashioned fun, games and food celebration at Veterans Park on the Fourth of July. Rae Nicely, executive director of Lehigh Community Services, is heading up the afternoon of activities to celebrate America’s Independence Day.

“It’s a day for the whole family. Bring the kids because there were will be a lot of activities and it won’t cost much but a $3 card or two for $5 which will allow the kids to play on any of the attractions at the park.

“We’ll have such things as a bounce house, a cool water slide, and we’re bringing back the snow mountain that all the kids enjoyed so much last year,” she laughed.

For most kids it’s the first time that they have seen what is as close to being real now as it can be. It’s actually shaved ice packed in a big mountain. The kids can dive into it, slide on it and have a big time, Nicely said.

There is no cost to get into Veterans Park where the event will be held.

“We just want everyone in Lehigh to know they don’t have to leave town and get into all the traffic when we will have a great time here at Veterans Park,” she said.

Billed as the Freedom Family Fun Fest, Nicely said it will begin at noon and continue to 5 p.m.

At the beginning, the National Anthem will be sung in honor of the day and a Color Guard will post and raise the flag.

The Fourth of July rally has been held at Veterans Park now for several years. Last year, one of the largest crowds ever attended the events.

“We’ll have local vendors there with hamburgers, hotdogs and other tasty treats,” she said. Families can bring blankets and lawn chairs if they want or they can sit in the bleachers.

There will be entertainment on the giant outside stage. She said Danny Stephenson, a member of the Lehigh Spring Festival, who plays in a band, is in charge of entertainment. She said he is planning to have a lot of local there to entertain the crowds.

“Just come out and enjoy the music and the food and the kids will enjoy their thing,” she said.

Again this year, there will be the Cutie Pie Contest.

“This is when little girls and boys collect money for Lehigh Community Services and for every penny they get, they get a point and the one who gets the highest points is the new Cutie Pie winner for this Fourth of July.

She said canisters will soon appear in banks and maybe at some local businesses and the public is invited to donate. The photo of the little girl or boy will be on the jar.

But your children have to register for the Cutie Pie Contest. It’s for two, three and 4-year-old children. The registration fee is $5. Nicley said parents must come to the Lehigh Community Service Office at 9 Beth Stacey Blvd. with a photo and to fill out an application.

“Last year, we raised $1,800 in this event. It goes a long way to help people pay late mortgage and rent payments,” she said.

“This year is particularly hard on most people in Lehigh. Everyone seems to be struggling and because of that we do not plan to spend any money on fireworks,” she said.

“Out committee said why should we shoot our money into the wild blue yonder when we can use that money to help struggling families,” she said.

Nicely noted that the number of clients who come to her agency has increased dramatically over the past year. Her organization is a part of Team Rescue in Lehigh and she can often refer clients to other organizations to get help such as food and other things..

“Things may be tough for everyone this year, but we think the Fourth of July celebration is a good way to forget your troubles and come and just enjoy the afternoon,” she said.

Also on the Fourth, but earlier in the day, Lehigh Senior High School will host a four-mile race at Veterans Park in Lehigh.

All of the proceeds will go toward the Lehigh Senior High School Cross Country program.

The event will start at 7:30 a.m. and will be a four-mile cross country race, not a road race and is being put on by the school, Community Services and the WIND Runners Club.

Ray Romero, the coach at LSHS and his group have obtained sponsors for the event. They include Southwest Florida Ankle and Foot Care Specialists, Dick’s Sporting Good, Run Florida and Quiznos.

The first place overall male and female will receive a $100 gift certificate at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Romero said.

The first place male and female master, grand master and senior grand master will all received $50 gift certificates to Dicks’s Sporting Good.

After the race is done is when Lehigh Community Services begin the annual Freedom Family Festival. Flyers can be picked up at Lehigh Acres Community Services. Their phone number is 239-369-5818. You can also contact Romero at 239-699-8370.

Romero is the head track coach at Lehigh Senior HIgh School.