Fourth of July Committee is busy at work

The Chamber of Commerce is planning a big Fourth of July Celebration again, along with the Merchants Group.

The Chamber will focus, like previous years, on activities in Peacock Park, culminating with the grand fireworks show.

The day starts with the old fashioned picnic at The Barnacle from 11 am to 3 pm, then it moves to the Center of the Grove for the Coconut Scavenger Hunt, Hot Dog Eating Contest and other Merchants Group activities.

At 4 pm, Peacock Park is the venue where the music starts up with live acts on the main stage, there may even be a comic from The Improv this year. The"Bring It On Cook Off Challenge" between the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce and the Coconut Grove Rotary Club is new this year, it's a pig roast; a lechon cook-off.

Cocktails, beer and food vendors are also part of the park activities.

The Chamber has been asking for funds from various entities in the Grove -- the BID (Business Improvement District) gave the usual $9500.00 towards the fireworks, Commissioner Sarnoff's office is giving $5000.00, the Village Council is deciding whether to give $500.00.

The City has so many financial problems that they are not helping out as they have in the past. They used to waive permits and fees and donated the stage and park crews for clean-up, but this year, the Chamber will have to pick up the cost.

There will be more sponsors this year, who will help with those costs -- beer sponsors and others. One of the best parts of the whole thing is a few weeks before, in June, when all the US Flags go up around the Village. The momentum starts building then.