Plans are coming together for the Independence Day celebration in Taylorville.  The customary parade on the square opens the proceedings at 10 a.m. that day, with the fireworks over Lake Taylorville in the evening.  Retired local dentist and current Taylorville School Board member Dr. Ron Mizer will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal.  Vendors at the marina, augmented musical performances, and more additions are set to mark 250 years of the United States’ independence. 

Alderwoman Amy Hagen has played a notable role in the organization of the festivities.  So too has Geoffrey Ortman, the superintendent of Lake Taylorville, with respect to the happenings there.  They say food will be among the goods available from the vendors at the marina. 

Ed Cleeton, along with his wife Beckie, donated a significant portion of the money used to put on the fireworks show.  He says contributing to the cause was his way of giving back to the community for its support of Cleeton Sanitation Service, which he owns. 

Hagen says the Cleetons learned of the fundraising effort for the fireworks show early on, but they continued the call for community members to pitch in with smaller-dollar donations. 

Ortman says the fact that the fireworks show is held over the lake every year means “everything” to him.

More information on the Taylorville Independence Day plans is available on a Facebook post by the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce. 

Ed Cleeton, Amy Hagen, and Geoffrey Ortman appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.