FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE:  256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL:  info@northalabama.org

Celebrate the 4th in Decatur at the Spirit of America Festival

Decatur, Ala. – For those in search of things to do on Independence Day, the city of Decatur welcomes everyone for a day of family fun and activities at Point Mallard Park. Now in its 53rd year, the Spirit of America Festival offers star-spangled fun, food, craft vendors, a bike parade and a spectacular firework show in honor of Independence Day. The festival gets underway at 3 p.m. and families are invited to arrive earlier to enjoy the day at the Point Mallard water park. 

The free Independence Day celebration kicks off on July 4th at 10 a.m. with the Children’s Bike Parade where patriotic decorated bikes, tricycles, wagons and strollers make their way from the TC Almon Center to the Expo Pavilion in Point Mallard Park. Registration for the parade is free and is required beginning at 9 a.m. at TC Almon. 
  
The Spirit of America Field will open to guests at 3 p.m. so that families can pick out a prime viewing location to enjoy the fireworks show set for later in the evening. Food and craft vendors will be there so attendees may shop for unique items and indulge on lemonade, shaved ice, funnel cakes, pizza, hamburgers or hotdogs. 

Families can cool off at the Point Mallard water park. Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 4th, the J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center offers a kiddy pool area, pro bowl slide, sky pond, lazy river, flume slides, and speed slides. Admission is $20 for adults (12-61), $15 for children (ages 5-11), military (with ID) and seniors (62+), and free for children 4 years old and younger. Following a fun-filled day in the water park, guests can walk over to the Spirit of America field to enjoy the fireworks. 

Beginning at 9 p.m., the night sky will be illuminated with a spectacular fireworks display. The fireworks display will be choreographed to music simulcast by WDRM, and spectators outside of Point Mallard Park are encouraged to tune in to 102.1 FM to enjoy.

From 6 to 11 p.m., NARCOG Transit will provide shuttle service for the fireworks show from the GE plant (2328 Point Mallard Dr. SE) and Princess Theatre (112 Second Ave. NE). Shuttle rides are $2 and may be purchased during the event or before the event at the NARCOG Transit Office, located at 401 2nd Ave Se, Decatur. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Correct change must be used whether purchasing in advance or during the event. 

Guests are reminded to please leave pets at home, and tents and golf carts are not allowed on the Spirit of America field. Handicapped and VIP event sponsor parking are available at the Ice Rink. 
 
Point Mallard Park is located at 2901 Point Mallard Drive in Decatur, Ala. along the scenic banks of the Tennessee River. Admission to the festival is free. For more information please call 256-341-4902 or visit www.spiritofamericafestival.com or visit its Facebook page.

About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @VisitNorthAL and like us at www.facebook.com/VisitNorthAL.  

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