The Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation will continue its annual July Jubilee July 4 at Sokol Park. The event is a family-oriented patriotic celebration that is open to the public.
July Jubilee will feature live music, food and fireworks choreographed to music. It will also feature old-fashioned games and an array of activities for children.
Live music will be housed in the Jenkins Multi-Purpose Arena located just south of Sokol Park. Tuscaloosa’s own Eat My Beats will perform along with the Alabama Blues Project. The music will begin at 7 p.m.
West Alabama’s largest fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. The fireworks display is choreographed to patriotic music and will be viewable across northern Tuscaloosa.
Children’s activities and family oriented games will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The activities will include carnival-style games, an ice cream eating contest and old-fashioned potato sack races, as well as several climbing walls and bounce houses. These activities will take place in the Jenkins Arena.
Last year’s turnout was higher than expected, which caused trouble for many of those who attended. Most frustration stemmed from major traffic issues as well as extremely long concession lines.
Blair Plott, Director of Community relations for Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation, said PARA and police officials are hoping to make this year’s Jubilee more accessible and manageable for those who attend.
“This year we have a totally different setup for vendors and we hope the community will enjoy the quantity and the variety of vendors,” Plott said.
“Also, we’ve been working closely with the Tuscaloosa Police Department to relieve some of the traffic issues.
“Additionally, Clear Channel radio will also be running a live traffic feed to tell people the best way to enter and leave the park.”
The event had long been held near the Black Warrior River but was moved to the 400-acre Sokol Park in 2008 to give attendees more space after the event became too crowded.
Chelsea Monaco, a junior majoring in restaurant and hospitality management, said she thinks the low cost may attract a high turnout of college students.
“It doesn’t sound like the most exciting Forth of July ever, but it’s a really cheap way to have some fun and show your patriotism, so I’ll probably go for part of it,” Monaco said. “I bet some college students will make their way over there.”
Logan Ortega, a senior majoring in business management, said the Jubilee seems like a good idea for those who have children, but doesn’t excite him too much as a college student.
“If I had a kid, I would go,” Ortega said. “But I don’t have a kid, so I’ll probably go to Gallette’s.”
Sokol Park is located on the corner of Watermelon Road and Old Colony Road. All components of the event except concessions are free.
