All over Crescent Hill, signs stapled to telephone poles are promoting the 27th-annual Crescent Hill Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, held this Saturday and Sunday. The Crescent Hill Art & Music Festival, it's worth mentioning, will be going on at the same time. The fact that it takes place at the Peterson-Dumesnil House (301 S. Peterson Ave.) — basically my back yard — makes me want to check it out. (Side note: Notice in the picture that the sign says there'll be free trolley rides for spectators? Well I'm offering parking on my back hill if you flaunt your patriotism by bringing me a case of beer. Or one of those t-shirts that look like an American flag.)

The stages will feature everything from country music and a magician to celtic fiddlers and an open-to-the public drum circle, which I'd participate in if somebody was sharing a peace pipe. There will also be a baking contest, an antique car parade and — wait for it — a pet show.

 

Sunday night at 10 p.m. is the fireworks display. And I'll definitely check that out because this past April I interviewed event co-chair Kathy Schmitt, who says the future of the 20-minute fireworks portion — which costs $500 a minute — is in jeopardy. "Going forward," she says, "there may be a festival without fireworks. It's just so expensive."