WIRT EXPECTING BIG 4TH CELEBRATION - Ripley Has Annual Event

(07/03/2003)
Wirt County officials say Fourth of July activities will be about the same, but there may be more interest than the past with the Jessica Lynch story.

Wirt County Assessor Debbie Hennen says the county's celebration is staying the same, although she expects a lot of people who aren't from Wirt County to attend Independence Day near the home of Jessica Lynch. She expects 2,500 to 3,000 this year.

The Wirt County July 4th celebration kicks off at 8:30 in the morning (Saturday) with the Volunteer Fire Debarment's 25th annual Ice Cream Social. The parade is set to start at 11 a.m. with live bands and an auction in the evening.

Ripley's July 4th celebration, one of the state's largest, will conclude with a giant fireworks.