CHARLESTON (JG-TC) A celebration started to honor veterans now offers a salute to area Girl Scouts for their organizations centennial.

Red, White & Blue Days kicks off at noon Sunday with a flag exchange for local Girl Scouts in Morton Park. The Girl Scouts will be featured in different events during this years edition of Red, White & Blue Days, which started more than 20 years ago to honor returning veterans from the Gulf War.

Sundays other event includes the annual Bingo fundraiser, scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. in Morton Park. This is one of many fundraisers for the annual Fourth of July celebration.

On Tuesday, the bulk of the events start out in Morton Park. Be sure to bring lawn chairs and overflow parking is offered at Eastern Illinois Universitys OBrien Field for the Morton Park events.

The various food vendors start serving the fare at 3 p.m. in the park.

Then comes the open act of musical entertainment with Jason and the Haymakers at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Then the Farmer of the Year and the crownings of Miss and Mr. Little Firecracker take place. Be sure to keep your head down so grandparents, aunts, uncles and other kin folk can get clear views for photographs and videos of the pint-sized royalty. Be sure to offer a handshake to the top farmer, too.

Jake Owen will then offer a free concert at 8 p.m. in Morton Park.

On Wednesday, the holiday in Charleston starts out with some patriots and pet lovers working up a sweat during the Habitat for Humanity Four on the Fourth 4-mile Run/Walk, stepping off at 6:30 a.m.

Coles County Arts Councils Great Chalk In offers creative venues and fun for artists of all ages from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Charleston Firefighers offer some entertainment and safety education with their Foam Pit & Fire Safety House. There will be inflatable games from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

See the original post:

Red, White & Blue Days to honor Girl Scouts, too