In 2010, Peerless Lodge #591 was looking for a way to bring a celebration back to the Village of Crooksville. The Lodge saw an opportunity to build brotherhood by building the community! They agreed that it had been years since there had been any fireworks celebration of our country’s independence.
Fast forward to June 24th, 2023, and it’s the 12th Annual Crooksville Community Celebration. The celebration is set up to always take place on the last Saturday in June! This would allow for the event to be close enough to the 4th of July to celebrate, but far enough away that it would not interfere with larger celebrations. Each year they’ve worked to make the event bigger and better to provide the best experience for the Village of Crooksville.
It has grown into a full day event of festivities for the community, and Peerless Lodge has reached out to the other local organizations and businesses to partner with. The goal has always been to keep the event centered around the Village of Crooksville and its residents – even though all are invited to the celebration.
The day starts out at 9 am with a fishing derby for any kids 18 and under. The village pool is also open for kids and adults the entire day! Along with setting the event up, Peerless Lodge also has a stand where they offer fried fish and fresh-cut French fries. The Lodge also coordinates and sets up music and bands for the day. Alongside the event is the Lodge’s annual car show, Cruzin Crooksville. Cars are displayed from 1-4 pm and then at 5 pm are asked to join into the parade where the Lodge brings up the rear!
If that isn’t enough, the event also includes a Civil War encampment with cannon firings throughout the day. There’s also a Civil War historian answering questions about the war and displaying artifacts.
The day culminates with the bursting of fireworks overhead as an exclamation point to the day! The residents of Crooksville can be proud of the great country that they live in – one where Peerless Lodge can put a close to a wonderful celebration of small-town America!
Next year marks the village’s 150th anniversary! If you’re free on the last Saturday in June, you should stop by and enjoy the day!
