Sundown Salute, the annual Fourth of July celebration, will be held in both the City of Milford, in Junction City and the annual fireworks display will occur at a still to be determined location around Milford Lake where it is visible from boats on the water.
That information was provided by Michelle Stimatze, Chair of the Sundown Salute Committee, who said the dates for the celebration will be June 30th through July 4th. This will be the 50th anniversary for Sundown Salute. "We've had a numerous amount of people come to us about having it in Junction City, and then there's a lot of people that wanted to take it back to the roots. It started 50 years ago out at Milford Lake.
Stimatze added that after consideration with the Sundown Salute board there was a decision to have some of the events in Junction City and some in the City of Milford. How did the City of Milford entered the picture when the celebration began at the lake? "Because of size of space and the logistics of everything. "
"So what we're looking at is to have the parade and Veterans Ceremony in Junction City and then we're having the carnival, the bands and the Freedom Run out at Milford ( City ), " said Stimatze. Fireworks, again, would be shot off at a location in the Milford Lake area.
Stimatze noted that the Committee is hoping the changes will increase attendance. "We have so many people around the region that want it at one place, and others want it at another place. We're trying to come to a happy medium. We hope it doesn't drop attendance with it being the 50th. We hope for even better things, we've got a lot of things going on that we're planning along with the vendors and some other acts that we haven't had come in before. " Stimatze said they want to bring back the Miss Milford Lake competition and some of the activities that happened many years ago.
She also noted everyone is on board with the change. Sundown Salute includes a carnival and multiple vendors, among other activities. Stimatze also confirmed that the decision to make the change has the unanimous support of members of the Sundown Salute Committee.