Families throughout Shelby County will be celebrating liberty June 26-27 while attending Columbiana’s 24th-annual Liberty Day celebration.

This year’s festivities will officially begin Friday evening with the musical stylings of Dan Farmer and Big Daddy’s New Band, along with a carnival and food from local restaurants and vendors.

The fun will continue on Saturday with lots of music, food and arts/crafts vendors, the carnival, classic cars and the Liberty Day parade.

The parade will include all the pomp and circumstance expected of a great hometown parade: elaborate floats, marching bands and more beauty queens than you can shake a tiara at.

Saturday evening festivities move to the Shelby County High School football stadium, where crowds will enjoy local and regional musical artists, along with a spectacular fireworks show.

According to the City of Columbiana, Liberty Day began in 1986 as a group of citizens organized to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. To honor their efforts, the first Liberty Day was held on Main Street and featured patriotic music, local dance groups and fireworks.

Since that time, Liberty Day has grown to include hundreds of vendors and thousands of people who gather downtown Columbiana each year for food, fellowship and a great parade.

Thanks to many generous sponsors, this year’s celebration will not only be more extensive than all previous years, it will also be free to anyone interested in joining in on the fun.

Living in Shelby County offers access to many great festivals and events and Liberty Day is certainly one of the finest.

Here’s hoping to see you there!