Fireworks and food, bands and beer! Colfax will be the place to be for the old-fashioned Independence Day celebration hosted on July 5 by Colfax Pride, Inc.

The sale of collectible buttons on display at local businesses helps fund the brilliant display of fireworks that is the “Pride” of Colfax. The buttons feature a unique illustration by Laurel Mathe of Mystic Design, Inc.

The Graffiti Team will gather Friday (watch for times) as Lloyd Perreira draws an illustration mid-Main Street. Volunteers are invited to join him in coloring in the spaces.

Traditionally, Independence Day celebrants start the day off at the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at the firehouse on Church Street, then watch the Kiwanis Little Patriots' Parade and the Lions Club Parade.

The Little Patriots' Parade is free. Entries will form up in front of the Colfax Hotel.

Entry fee for the Lions Club Parade is $20. Check-in will be in the parking lot of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church. For an entry form or more information, call Ed Pearson at 477-9889.

Pene Todd is organizing the Royalty Contests for Queen, Junior Queen and Little Queen. Winners will receive cash prizes.

Anyone interested in participating is asked to call Todd at 637-5542.

Each queen candidate will be selling raffle tickets through July 1. The candidate selling the most tickets will claim the title in her category.

Three bicycles as well as a happy clown party donated by Penney the Clown will be raffled.

Bob Dearwester of Bob's Dogs is busy organizing a Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Winner of the $100 prize at last year’s event ate six hot dogs (with buns) in seven minutes to claim the title of “Top Dog.”

Dearwester said he will be using smaller dogs and buns this year, so someone is bound to beat last year’s record.

Bands are lining up to perform at this year’s celebration. Event Coordinator Dan Kajimura, says he's expecting several bands, including Ricky Berger, All on Sevin, Train Wreck Revival, and Drinking at Your Funeral as well as Walking Spanish, Rocky James Kajimura, and Far From Fearless.

Pyro Spectaculars, a fifth generation, nationally recognized, family-owned business, is once again providing Colfax with a fireworks spectacular, the perfect exclamation point to the celebration and the natural high point to every Independence Day.

A good thing to note, Colfax Pride will offer special seating and other arrangements to sponsors. The VIP Section will be on the lawn area near the Colfax Schuyler statue.

Sponsorship levels are as follows:

* $1,000 Colfax Super Star Donor receives four wristbands for entrance to VIP section, two reserved parking spaces, the family or business name on a banner and announced during the parade, a gift bag and plaque as well as hors d'oeuvres.

* $750 Gold Star Donor receives three wristbands, one reserved parking space, the business or family name on a banner and announced during the parade, a gift bag and plaque as well as hors d'oeuvres.

* $500 Silver Star Donor receives two wristbands, one reserved parking space, the business or family name on a banner and announced during the parade, a gift bag and plaque as well as hors d'oeuvres.

* $250 Bronze Star Donor has business or family name on banner and announced during the parade, a gift bag and plaque as well as hors d'oeuvres.

Bob Dearwester is organizing the Fireworks Sponsorship Drive. Anyone interested in obtaining a spot in the VIP section is asked to call him 305-7110.

Other contact numbers for the festival are: vendor information/sign-up, call Melba Delfino at 346-6539; for publicity or other questions, call Laurel Mathe at 346-9399; for general information or to volunteer, call Ken Delfino, president of Colfax Pride, Inc., at 263-5969.