Veteran among honorees

July 04--Morgantown will host a number of activities today to celebrate the nation's birth.

At 7 p.m., the annual Celebration of America Community Awards will be presented during a ceremony at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater. The ceremony honors local citizens for their commitment to the community, and the Veteran of the Year -- this year's winner is Tanner's Alley owner Charles McEwuen.

"It's quite an honor," he said. "I was quite honestly surprised."

McEwuen said there are other deserving veterans and that he didn't do all that much when he actively served in the U.S. Army from 1972-'76. But, he said he was told he received the award because of his service afterward, helping out the Veterans of Foreign Wars and his participation in the Celebration of America.

McEwuen is well known for bringing his vintage military vehicles to local parades. He said he will ride in the parade and be escorting himself this year -- but he has no problem with that task.

The annual parade down High Street is set to begin at 5 p.m. Parking will be restricted on North High, High and Prospect streets starting at 4 p.m. Traffic will be rerouted through the downtown area during the parade.

Before the parade, children can participate in a bike decoration contest, at 4:30 p.m., at the Public Safety Building, on Spruce Street. Participants will be allowed to ride in the parade, as long as they have a helmet and are accompanied by a responsible adult.

There will also be activities throughout the day on the banks of the Monongahela River.

The Morgantown Community Band, directed by C.B. Wilson, will hold its annual concert at 11 a.m., at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater.

At 6 p.m., Darko Velichkovsky, a classical and jazz clarinetist, will offer a musical presentation at the amphitheater. The Mon River Big Band takes the stage at 8 p.m.

Fireworks are set to light the night sky above the Monongahela River starting at 10 p.m. -- and it will be the largest display in Celebration of America history.

Joe Kaehler, with the celebration, said the fireworks will go on as planned so long as the weather doesn't become dangerous, such as high winds or lighting.

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