Soddy-Daisy, Lakesite continue Independence Day traditions

Soddy-Daisy's annual Fourth of July volunteers invite everyone to come to Soddy Lake July 4 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

"A family can come up here for a few dollars and have a ball all day long," said Soddy-Daisy Vietnam Veterans Chapter 942 President Robert Cothran, who coordinates the festivities. "Some of the kids up here, this is the only vacation they will have."

Vendors will serve sno-cones, barbecue, hamburgers, chicken on a stick, pinto beans and cornbread. Local vendors will also sell handmade arts and crafts. Fifty spots are already rented out in the Soddy-Daisy Kids Club ball park area.

The Fourth of July Car Show will go from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dayton Pike next to Soddy Lake. The car show entry fee is $20 at the gate. Prizes for best car stereo, best car in a car club, farthest away car winner, people's choice winner, a 50/50 drawing and door prizes will be awarded.

"I like meeting the people," said Cothran, of the atmosphere. "Kids can play on the playground or play games like pick the duck out of the water. We will have live music all day long."

Cothran said spectators should bring a lounge chair. Fireworks at dark will close out the festivities. He said people can camp out beside Soddy Lake Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights, but drinking alcohol is not allowed. An air-conditioned bathroom trailer will be available. Campers' vehicles must be moved from Dayton Pike before the car show begins July 4 at 9 a.m.

The Soddy-Daisy Board of Commissioners recently voted to not allow dogs at the Fourth of July events. Commissioners unanimously voted to spend up to $4,000 on the festivities, primarily for fireworks and portable toilets.

Soddy-Daisy Vietnam Veterans Chapter 942 receives $35 per 12-by-12-foot vendor space and all car show fees. Cothran said while it is a fundraiser for Vietnam Veteran projects, the money goes back to the city.

"All the money we raise goes back to the city of Soddy-Daisy," he said. "Vietnam Veterans give three local student scholarships, 4 tons of food to the Soddy-Daisy Food Bank, funding to Soddy-Daisy High School and Sale Creek High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and funding to the Soddy-Daisy Neighborhood Helpers. We also take toiletries, socks, pizza, soft drinks and phone cards to veterans at the Murfreesboro VA Hospital."

• For more information about the Soddy-Daisy Fourth of July celebration, contact Soddy-Daisy Vietnam Veterans Chapter 942 President Robert Cothran at 718-1735.

Lakesite to host annual Fourth of July picnic

City Recorder Roberta Thomas invites Lakesite's 2,000 residents to join in the city's Fourth of July picnic Monday at 6 p.m. Barbecue will be provided and residents are encouraged to bring a covered dish.

"We've celebrated July 4th in Lakesite for 25 years or more," said Thomas. "The Lakesite swimming pool will be open and we will play volleyball at the picnic. We had about 200 people attend the picnic last year."

Lakesite opens the event up to anyone for the fireworks display at dark. She said residents and guests should bring lounge chairs and blankets to sit around the Lakesite ball field area.

She said the city has another reason to celebrate. The city just passed its $938,791 operating 2011-2012 budget with no tax increase.

"Our property tax rate is still 24 cents per $100 of assessed evaluation," she said. "We have not raised our property taxes in 15 or more years. We are able to provide garbage service, contract with Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and provide fire protection through Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department, all with the 24-cent property taxes."

Thomas said the city did not raise taxes for the 2012 fiscal year due to great city management.

"We have a very good City Manager David Edwards and commissioners that keep a watchful eye on the city's money," she said. "They treat the money like it's their own."

Upcoming Events