By Joel Spears

MOUNT CARMEL - The 24th Annual Mount Carmel Block Party will get underway this Friday, June 26, with activities beginning at 6 p.m.
    Sponsored by Mount Carmel Merchants' Association, local corporate sponsors and the Town of Mount Carmel, activities will include live music by the Full Circle Band, Sound Traxx Karaoke, a car show, the Jericho Junction Gang Children's Christian Theatre, children's rides by The Fun
Factory, games, T.J. The Clown, the Carter's Valley Volunteer Fire Department Dunk Tank, Gamer's
League Wii games, service information booths, and local food vendors.
    A fireworks display has also been planned for 9:45 p.m.
    New events this year include comedian Stacy Vaughan with his show beginning at 8 p.m., the Gospel band The 3-Cs in Christ, and Bluegrass Gospel band Revelations, plus a show by the Pro Wrestling Federation at 7 p.m.    
    Also new this year was a T-shirt contest in which approximately 150 students from Mount Carmel Elementary School participated in the design.
    First place winner was Emilee Barnett, second place went to Hannah Cobb Vicars and third place was won by Lacey Kincer.
    Barnett received a free T-shirt with her winning design and Dairy Cup donated a $10 gift certificate to each of the other winners.
    Free parking and shuttle service for the Block Party will be provided by and located at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 311 Cypress Street, off Independence Avenue. 
    The entrance from U.S. Highway 11W, between BB&T and the BP Station, and the Hammond Avenue entrance will be closed during the Block Party.
    Handicap parking for the Block Party will be available in front of Mount Carmel City Hall.
    Parking at Mount Carmel Shopping Center, until 6 p.m., will be limited to customers only as a portion of the center will be used for children's' rides.  No block party parking will be allowed in the shopping center.  
    For more information about the car show, contact Terry Yankee at (423) 357-7852 . For additional information about the Block Party E-mail mountcarmelmerchants@yahoo.com or call co-organizer Lisa Robinette at 357-1156.