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The town of Pleasant Garden is hosting its ninth Independence Day Celebration
on July 5.

Gates to the Community Center softball field open at 5 p.m. for entries in
the "All American Car Show." Joel Ellington expects to have at least 50 cars
entered in this participant-judged car event. Awards will be given to the best
of show and top 20. Call the Town Hall or Ellington, 674-8161, for registration
details. Get ready to cruise!

Model car building talent will also be showcased in that area. Ellington said
any model of a wheeled vehicle may be entered. Get on with building! Pleasant
Garden Community Center baseball fields will begin rockin' when Goodtimes Music
and former local radio DJ Alan Jeffries and his collection of 27,000-plus songs
take the stage at 6 p.m. Jeffries will get the crowd involved and take requests.
Get ready to shag!

Children of all ages will enjoy the huge inflatable slide. The Defender Dome
will challenge athletic skill of older kids. Two other giant bouncing rooms,
also provided by Pleasant Garden Community Center, will be appropriate for the
younger ones. Kim Rayle said they will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Get ready for
some action!

These activities are sponsored free of charge by the town of Pleasant Garden
and Pleasant Garden Community Center. Volunteers are needed to assist in setting
up, supervising inflatable games and cleaning up the grounds after the party.
Many hands make light work. For details, call the Town Hall, 674-3002. Get ready
to volunteer!

A variety of food vendors will be stationed around the site enticing your
senses with aromas that'll put your stomach in control of your pocketbook. Get
ready to eat!

Pleasant Garden Fire Department knows a lot about getting ready. Chief Tommy
Cole estimates that past attendance has been 1,000 to 1,500, and the department
is making preparations to assure that this is another safe event.

Cole said his Incident Action Plan will include mapping the area, monitoring
the weather (especially the wind) and communicating with Guilford County fire
marshal and sheriff's deepartment and the Highway Patrol, who will handle
traffic control.

Ten to 15 firefighters will carry out the IAP. Two men, outfitted in full
protective gear and equipped with hoses will be alongside the Zambelli Fireworks
crew in the "hot zone," to prevent any damage should misfires occur.

Some will be stationed along the fire marshal's mandatory 400-foot setback
line from the shooting area.

Others will provide emergency medical assistance. Get ready to say, "Thank
you!"

About 9:15 p.m., the new computer-controlled baseball lighting will be dimmed
for the spectacular Zambelli Fireworks Internationale. The New Castle, Pa.,
company is scheduled to explode 600 colorful shells to close a fabulously
fantastic fifth.

Get ready to say, "Happy birthday, USA!"

Nancy Jo Smith, grandmother of 12, lives in her childhood home in the
center of Pleasant Garden. She enjoys piecing genealogy, history and
quilts.