BAY MINETTE – The north end of the county will get two chances to celebrate the nation’s birthday this week — Thursday and Saturday.

In Bay Minette, the annual fireworks show will be held Thursday night around 9 p.m. Two days later at Dixie Landing, the Community Care Organization will host its celebration.

The city of Bay Minette has again joined forces with the Bay Minette Rotary Club to put on the fireworks extravaganza. The city donated $3,000. Rotary members ponied up another $3,500 toward the $7,500 cost.

“It will be a 15-minute aerial display,” said Rotary treasurer Neal Covington. “We’re working with a new company this year. The company of the last 20 years somehow didn’t have us on their calendar.”

The fireworks will be fired from the old tennis courts beside the football field behind Bay Minette Elementary School, located at 800 Blackburn Ave. The stadium will not be open for safety reasons, but residents are encouraged to park around the perimeter of the area and bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the event.

The Rotary Club began hosting Fourth of July activities in Bay Minette around 1978. In years past, there were more activities throughout the day. The civic group had to cut back two years ago due to dire economic times.

Dixie Landing

Community Care Organization usually holds its celebration the Saturday before the Fourth, but moved this year to take advantage of the long weekend many will be enjoying.

“The gates will open at 4 p.m.,” said organizer Jeff Weaver. “We’ll have music, a DJ and refreshments. People need to bring a lawn chair and their lunch.

“There will be raffles throughout the evening and the fireworks will be after dark, usually around 8:30 or so.”

There is no admission charge but donations will be accepted.

“It’s a popular event and has grown,” said Weaver. “This is the fifth year. The first year, we had 90 people show up. Last year, there were 4,000. I guess people believe in our cause.

“We help the elderly with odd jobs like splitting firewood or cutting the grass. We’ve even helped with medical bills. We serve folks in parts of Baldwin, Monroe and Escambia counties.”