A number of activities are scheduled for Downtown Canton to celebrate the Fourth of July on Monday, July 4, according to information released by the Canton Texas Chamber of Commerce.

The evening’s activities will begin with a ‘Best Decorated Bike Contest’ at 5 p.m. followed by a ‘Watermelon Eating Contest’ for the kids at 5:30 p.m.

For the adults, one of the most highly anticipated events will begin at 6 p.m. with the third annual ‘Hot Dog Eating Competition,’ sponsored by Sonic.

There will also be a Fourth of July Downtown Parade with the parade lineup to begin at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Canton parking lot.

The parade will start at the FBC, Canton parking lot at 7:30 p.m., on Athens Street, before taking a right turn at State Highway 64. The parade route will then turn right on Buffalo Street downtown and will end at the Canton ISD Administration Building parking lot.

A fireworks show will close out the evening’s activities beginning at dark on the west side of the First Monday Grounds parking lot on FM 859 between State Highway 64 and Interstate 20.

For more information about the Fourth of July events in Canton, call the Canton Texas Chamber of Commerce at 903-567-2991 or visit www.cantontexaschamber.com.