MONTICELLO — Organizers believe this year’s 4th annual Cooper’sFerry Exchange Club 4th of July event will be the most patrioticyet.

Although the Exchange Club sponsors the event, several localorganizations are participating to raise money for several causesand to promote patriotism and the park.

“The main reason we have the event is to raise awareness of thepark and the work there and to promote the historical value ofCooper’s Ferry,” said Susan Harvey, the Exchange Club’s chairman ofthe event.

Harvey said the Exchange Club is sponsoring the fireworksdisplay, set to patriotic music, and selling snow cones and cottoncandy while other clubs host many of the other activities.

The Chamber of Commerce is donating the food for the Lion’s Clubto cook. They will sell hamburgers and hot dogs to raise money forthe park.

“We also will be having a drawing that night for a riding lawnmower, which will be on site,” Harvey said.

Proceeds from the drawing will benefit the Prevention of ChildAbuse Centers scattered across the state. The child abuse centersare an Exchange Club national project.

Other activities include an open microphone on the overlook,watermelon eating and seed spitting contests for children, and facepainting, among others.

Harvey said there is no set time to gather at the park, but thecooking will begin around 5 p.m. with activities starting about 6p.m. The fireworks display is scheduled for dark.

“It’s just a good family event to promote patriotism in the townand celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as Americans,” Harvey said.

Harvey encouraged visitors to bring a lawn chair or blanket andjoin them at Cooper’s Ferry Park for a day of fun andcelebration.