The planning committee for the 2003 "Freedom on the River" festival met Tuesday morning at the office of the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce.

A preliminary schedule of activities has been released for the July 3 and 4 event.

The "Best Burger" competition will again be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 3 at the City Landing ball field. The fee is $25 to enter cooking teams who will offer their best hamburger recipe.

Live musical entertainment and children’s games are also planned for the July 3 program. The musical performers will be announced at a later date.

The schedule of July 4 events includes children’s activities from 4 to 6 p.m. at historic Bluff Hall.

The patriotic children’s parade will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Gospel music performers will appear at 4 p.m. at the City Landing. The annual Duck Race will be held at 5 p.m.

The popular fireworks presentation begins at 8:30 p.m. at the City Landing.

For more information or to volunteer to help at the Freedom on the River festival, call the chamber at 289-0270.