HOPE — Organizers of Hope’s upcoming Old-Fashioned Independence Day celebration are calling on local families to nominate contestants for a beloved holiday tradition. For the seventh consecutive year, one young boy and girl will be crowned Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker during the community’s patriotic festivities.
The contest is open to area children between the ages of 3 and 10. Rather than a traditional pageant, the winners are chosen through a community-driven fundraising effort where every penny raised counts as a vote.
To secure votes, contestants are encouraged to decorate collection cans for donations and distribute them to local businesses around town, or directly solicit support from friends, neighbors, and family members.
Parents and guardians can pick up official registration forms at three designated locations in Hope:
- Willow Leaves of Hope (south side of the Town Square)
- The Yellow Trail Museum (644 Main St.)
- The Hope Branch Library (635 Harrison St.)
All donation cans must be turned in to either the Yellow Trail Museum or Deckard Tool before noon on Wednesday, June 24.
Leading the Festive Lineup
The highly anticipated coronation will take place at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, June 26, live on the Hope Town Square stage. Immediately following the crowning, the newly named Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker will have the distinct honor of leading the annual Kids’ Parade of Decorated Bikes, Tricycles, and Strollers around the square at 6:30 p.m.
All proceeds generated from the penny-vote contest directly benefit the Yellow Trail Museum, a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the unique history and genealogy of northeast Bartholomew County since 1975.
A Full Evening of Old-Fashioned Fun
The Firecracker contest is a cornerstone of Hope’s “Old-Fashioned Independence Day,” which runs from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on June 26.
The historical town square will play host to an array of classic attractions, including old-fashioned kid-friendly games, live music, local craft booths, face painting, and pony rides. Organizers have also introduced a brand-new event to honor America’s upcoming 250th birthday: a decorated Golf Cart Parade, scheduled to roll out at 6:45 p.m.
The community celebration will officially culminate at 10:00 p.m. with a massive fireworks display over the square. Families and parade participants are heavily encouraged to dress in their best red, white, and blue attire to celebrate the holiday.
