Northern Tier committee dreams big for July 4 extravaganza

ROUSES POINT | The 60th annual Rouses Point celebration of the Fourth of July will start on June 25 and wrap up on June 27 with the Rouses Point Fire Department's annual Chicken Dinner, Firefighter Games, live music, a parade, and the night is set to end with a firework show. One of the Co-Chairs of the Rouses Point 4 of July Committee Karen Weierstall explained how the annual 4 of July celebration has changed throughout the years, growing smaller, coinciding with the loss of Pfizer. Weierstall and the other committee members were working to change this, and restore the 4 of July celebration to its former size and glory. "It was going to be a bigger draw and we were getting lots of momentum and then COVID hit," Weierstall said on the year-long roadblock they hit with the event. Although they weren't able to have the celebration they dreamed of in 2020 due to the pandemic, they still had a vehicle parade and other activities throughout the village such as a house decorating competition. Things are starting to look up for this small group of determined committee members as restrictions are starting to lift. "Literally in the last month is when it just, phew, picked up. Cause the restrictions to sort of lifted, and things started to be hopeful, and so we're bringing stuff in but it's not nearly as big as we want, but it's bigger than it has been so that's good. And hoping this gets the momentum for years to come," said Weierstall. Weierstall went on to explain all the activities that they have planned so for the celebration, "We're going to have a carnival which hasn't been there in years." There will be live music throughout the weekend, a beer tent with both Oval Craft Brewing and Valcour Brewing Company, a parade, fireworks, various events put on by Rouse Point Fire Department, the Firefighter Games, and more. "It's an old-school thing that I've never seen. I've heard about them and I think the fire departments do them from time to time when they can…" Weierstall said on the Firefighter games. There will obstacle courses and various timed events for Fire Departments to compete in. The Rouses Point 4 of July Committee is completely independent of the village, although the village does support this group and has made a donation for the celebration. The Rouses Point American Legion is also a big help to the committee. "It is a partnership with the legion because of the status that they have. So we do it with them so that we can do the funds… so it works as an organization if you will," Weierstall said. Weierstall also mentioned that the Rouses Point Business Association has been a huge help to the committee with collecting donations, advertising, and just providing support. As the date for the weekend-long celebration draws closer excitement for the event is ramping up. "It just seems like people in the community are just really excited. You know, everyone has been so locked up that it's really kind of the first event where people can gather and have some sort of sense of normalcy," Lisa Mesec who does the marketing for the Rouses Point 4 of July Committee said. The committee is still currently looking for volunteers to help with the event in all areas. "Just overall having people to kind of manage, lift, move, support, all involvements of it," stated Weierstall. For more information on how to get involved with this committee email starsandstripesonthelake@gmail.com or visit the Stars and Stripes on the Lake Facebook Page. Weierstall concluded her thoughts with, "Like that's my biggest thing seeing the selflessness of them all and the support that they've given. As again, this is just a bunch of moms and full-time workers and students coming together and trying to make it work."

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Northern Tier committee dreams big for July 4 extravaganza

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