By Joseph M. Morgan

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.—There is plenty to do in DeKalb County over the next few days as a number of communities prepare for Independence Day celebrations. The town of Collinsville is kicking things off right now as they host the county’s first July 4 celebration of the holiday weekend kicking off tonight at 6:30 p.m. on the campus at Collinsville Healthcare and Rehab.

Collinsville Healthcare and Rehab is hosting an Independence Day celebration tonight, Thursday, June 30 at 6:30 p.m. with live music, food, fun and a spectacular fireworks display for the entire community.

Traditionally there are two fireworks displays in Collinsville each year to celebrate July 4—one hosted by the town of Collinsville and the other hosted by Collinsville Healthcare and Rehab.

Year in and year out the two fireworks displays rank among the best in DeKalb County.

Unfortunately the city’s event had to be cancelled this year after the city was informed that their longtime fireworks distributor would be unable to fill the annual large-scale fireworks order.

Fortunately for the folks in Collinsville, however, Collinsville Healthcare and Rehab is still a-go tonight for their annual fireworks display and July 4 celebration.

“We’ve hosted a fireworks show for several years at Collinsville Healthcare and Rehab,” Administrator James Coker said. “It’s our way of celebrating our country’s independence and freedom with friends, family and the whole Collinsville community each year and we enjoy putting it on. We invite the whole town and their families out to Collinsville Healthcare and Rehab to come and be a part of the fun and watch our great fireworks show each year.”

The family-owned healthcare business is stepping up their event tonight even more to include live music from “Still Kickin’’, a local band that plays rock and roll, country and southern rock tunes at regional music venues, private parties, festivals and other special events all over North Alabama.

With Collinsville native and DeKalb County Probate Judge Ronnie Osborn in the Still Kickin’ lineup, along with his son Heath Osborn and Collinsville resident Ronnie Ross on the drums, the group has strong ties to the Collinsville community. But that’s not the only reason they got the gig tonight.
The group has been in the business of entertaining DeKalb County for more than a decade, and their talent and reputations as performers has grown as their music and reach is ever expanding. The band tries to keep one weekend per month free to spend time with their families, but stay pretty solidly booked the other three weekends per month. Still Kickin’ also features Larry Burke on lead guitar, Larry Barton on steel guitar, Tony Morgan at keyboard and his wife Stacey Morgan on vocals.

But if you’re going, you better hurry. Make your way down to Collinsville Healthcare and Rehab tonight to take part in the live music, entertainment, games and to see one of the best fireworks displays in DeKalb County.