Several events are taking place, starting July 1, to celebrate Independence Day. Businesses and non-profits alike will host.
• Salem Public Library will host a Storybook Walk July 1. Signs will be posted so guests can follow a story as they walk around the outside of the building.
• Lions Club Carnival in Rolla will take place from July 1-4 with music, food, and fun. Fireworks will be on display July 2 and July 4, at 11 p.m. See ad page 10B for more information.
• Salem Bowling Center will play host to the first Just For You community event from noon until 11 p.m. July 2. There will be free bowling and cornhole all day long, food and drink specials, Redemption Counter specials, a remote event with KKID and finishing with Party Bowl and the band Alter-K-Shon. The event serves as customer appreciation and a grand re-opening ribbon cutting with the chamber will be held.
• The return of the Downtown Salem Historic Ghost Tour will take place at 8:30 p.m. July 2. The brick walls of downtown Salem have long held their secrets, but they are ready to tell their story. Are you ready to listen? Join historian Jacob Stotler on an hour walking tour of downtown Salem to learn about the history of the people who once walked these streets, and the stories of those who might have never stopped.
• A grand opening of a pictorial history of Dent County and Salem will take place 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. July 3 at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center. The exhibit will be open through the end of August. See the June 29 edition of The Salem News for more information regarding the exhibit. ONCRC is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Join historian Jacob Stotler on an hour walk, 8:30 p.m. July 3, for the MacArthur Avenue Historic Ghost Tour. The homes along what once was Salem’s wealthiest street housed some of the most powerful and influential people in our town’s history. The story of our community was shaped and formed inside these homes. As always, this tour is a combination of history, architecture, urban myths, and ghosts. This tour is suitable for people of all ages. Please be sure to wear comfy shoes. Meet at the front steps of First Baptist Church at 8 p.m.
• Dent County Museum is open 1 p.m.-4 p.m. July 4. The museum is located at 400 N. Pershing Street.
• First Baptist Church will be doing give-a-ways under the tent of the church parking lot before the community parade July 4. The church is located along the parade route on MacArthur Avenue.
• The annual parade presented by Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will take place 6 p.m. July 4. Line-up begins at 5:15 p.m. The theme this year is “Show-Me-Missouri, Celebrating 200 Years!” Parade route runs from Southwest Baptist University (corner of S. Grand and Franklin Streets) to the Dent County Courthouse. Grand marshals are Mike and Ahleesha Elwood, recognized for their service to our country, and their continued service with His Place Soup Kitchen. Contact the chamber at 1136 South Main St. Salem; chamber@salemmo.com; or call 729-6900 to enter or for more details.
• City of Salem fireworks, by Fleetwood Pyrotechnics LLC, will be on display around 9:30 p.m. July 4 at Dent County Commons.
