MORRISTOWN - Each year thousands of people descend upon Morristown for the community’s annual Fourth of July celebration, the largest such celebration in the county.

“It’s a family get together for people from all over,” said Fire Chief Kevin J. Crosby. “For anyone in or around Morristown, it’s one of the bigger field days.”

Mr. Crosby also noted the celebration serves as the biggest fundraiser each year for the department.

This year’s festivities will kick off on June 30 with the department’s annual fundraising auction.

“We haven’t really had many donations yet this year,” Mr. Crosby said, but with the auction still three weeks away, he said he’s not worried.

“We usually have enough to fill up our three bays at the fire hall,” he said.

Anyone who would like to donate new or used items to the auction can do so by contacting Ed at 375-6536 and leaving a message. Arrangements for pick up of items can be made,

The festivities then take a two-day break until dusk on July 3, when Morristown hosts one of the largest fireworks displays in the county.

“Each year it costs us about $5,000 to set them off,” he said, adding donations to help offset the cost of the fireworks may be sent to: Morristown Volunteer Fire Department; PO Box 4; Morristown, NY 13664.

In order to designate your donation for the fireworks, simply write fireworks on the check’s memo line.

The event’s biggest day though, is clearly our nation’s birthday.

Mr. Crosby said Independence Day activities kick off with the parade, which will feature the Morristown, Ogdensburg, Heuvelton, Lisbon, Edwards-Knox and Gouverneur marching bands at 10 a.m.

At 11:30 a.m., the field day begins, with a chicken barbecue, concession stand, antique tractor pull, children’s games and more.

“It’s fun for the whole family,” Mr. Crosby said.

In the past, the department has also sponsored a drawing for a chain saw, lawn mower or some other type of prize, but this year Mr. Crosby said the department has elected to do a 50/50 drawing instead.

Tickets for that drawing may be purchased from any member of the fire department and are on sale now. Tickets will also be sold at the auction and during the parade, with the drawing will be held later that afternoon at the field day.

“I’m hoping it’s going to be a big prize,” he said.

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