Honor the Military is the theme for the 2008 edition of the Piggott Fourth of July Picnic and Homecoming. This year's picnic promises to be a good one, and the activities will kick off with two pageants on Thursday, July 3, at the beauty review stand and barbecue will be on sale that evening at the log cabin.

The first event will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 3, as the Young Junior Miss Piggott Pageant is held for girls ages 8-10 years. That will be followed at 7:30 p.m. by the Young Miss Piggott Pageant for young ladies ages 11-14. The local VFW and American Legion will also be manning the log cabin Thursday evening and barbecue will be on sale.

On picnic day the parade participants should be lined up by 8:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, the annual parade gets underway at 9 a.m. and this year's Grand Marshall is John Carlton. Following the parade, around 10 a.m., the usual opening ceremonies will be held on the stage. At 10:30 a.m. the first of the political speeches will get underway and will continue much of the remainder of the morning.

At 11:15 a.m. there will be a visit from Minnie Purl (Beverly Harris Scott) followed by the Baby Mr. and Miss Piggott Pageant at 11:30. That will be followed at 12:30 p.m. by the Tiny Mr. and Miss Piggott Pageant.

At 1 p.m. there will be entertainment by Colin Benbrook, Jim Copelin and James Maynard's band and at 2:30 p.m. the Little Mr. and Miss Independence pageant will be held, followed at 3:30 p.m. by the Little Miss Firecracker pageant.

From 4:30 to 6 p.m. Patrick Patterson, Emma Gookin and Cole Thomas will provide the entertainment, and planners are currently adding more acts for the evening hours. At 8 p.m. the Miss Piggott Pageant will be held, at 11 p.m. the fireworks display will begin and at 11:30 p.m. the drawing for the 2008 GMC pickup will be held.

All proceeds from the annual Piggott Fourth of July Picnic and Homecoming celebration benefit the continuing upkeep of the Piggott Cemetery.