It’s that time of year again when people in the River City celebrate their freedoms with the annual Freedom on the River celebration on Sunday, July 4, at the city landing park.

The annual festival is in its 11th season, beginning another decade of fireworks, food and fun along the banks of the Tombigbee River.

This year, the Freedom on the River festivities will kick off with the Children’s Patriotic Parade beginning at 7 p.m. Children are encouraged to enter all non-motorized types of childhood transportation — like strollers, bikes, wagons or skateboards — to compete for prizes for best decorations, creativity and the patriotic spirit.

There are three age groups: birth to 4 years; 5 to 8 years; and 9 to 12 years old. There is no charge to enter the parade. Registration for the Children’s Patriotic Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Demopolis Civic Center, and all children must be registered by 6:45 p.m.

The parade will be followed by time to nibble on the goodies of the food vendors that will be positioned along Commissioners Avenue and to socialize and relax and await the fireworks display.

The Freedom Fireworks Extravaganza begins just after dark and will cap off another year of basking in the freedom we all enjoy.

“We hope the fireworks will be just as great as last year,” said Jennifer Tate, the president of the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce. “We are using the same fireworks company that we did last year, Pyro Productions, which also does the fireworks for Christmas on the River.”

Tate added that people should bring blankets and lawn chairs, and although vendors will be on hand, people are welcome to bring coolers.

All events will take place at the Demopolis City Landing on Commissioners Avenue, which runs parallel to the Tombigbee River.

For more information contact the event is sponsor, the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce, at (334) 289-0270.