The date is quickly approaching for Florala’s biggest celebration – and the Mason’s nationwide – the 142nd annual Masonic Celebration.

Patty Hughes, event organizer, said things begin on Sat., June 16, with a bass tournament, and continue through Sat., June 30. For a complete schedule of the week’s events, visit www.andalusiastarnews.com. Hughes said things will be conducted a little differently this year than in year’s past.

“For starters, we don’t have a carnival coming this year,” she said. “Disappointing, I know, but it was really something that was beyond our control. The company that came last year agreed to come back, but they are a smaller portion of a larger carnival company, and they had to cancel on us.”

Hughes said “other plans” are in the works for additional children’s events for the weeks, which will be announced at a later date.

“The good news is, we’ve added a few things,” she said. “One of those is a ‘Pedal for Green’ bike race, sponsored by Regions Bank. That will happen at noon on Sat., June 23, after the Alligator Trot 5K.

“We added another street dance, with one on Fri., June 29, at 9 a.m. at the Farmer’s Market, plus the traditional Saturday street dance,” she said. “We’ll have live music sponsored by Lyndsey Hand Music Saturday at the outdoor amphitheater, which we think will be fantastic.

“Plus, we have the other traditional events like the children’s ‘Anything Goes Parade’ and water battle, arts and crafts at the lake and the parade,” she said.

The week will also feature a beauty pageant and children’s events.

On Sat., June 30, the parade will begin downhill at 11 a.m. Arts and crafts will be featured on the shores of Lake Jackson. Fireworks and another street dance at the Farmer’s Market are set for 9 p.m., and will feature the “Back 40 Band.”

“We still want people to make plans to come out throughout the week and have a good time,” Hughes said. “That’s why we do this – to celebrate the tradition of June 24th in Florala.”