The staff at The Waters of Roan Highlands are inviting the community to join them in celebrating the birth of the nation during the annual Independence Celebration at the nursing facility.

On Thursday, June 29, The Waters of Roan Highlands Nursing Center will host the special event from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m.

“It’s for the community as well as our residents and staff,” said Jessica Holsclaw, the Patient Care Liaison at Roan Highlands. “It’s a very important event for our residents who may not have the chance to get out.”

Holsclaw said the annual event allows the residents to spend time with their families as well as socializing with other members of the community.

Roan Highlands has hosted the event for several years, and it has become a popular celebration for the Roan Mountain community.

“It seems like every year we have more people come out for the celebration,” Holsclaw said. “Last year we had well over 2,000 people show up.”

Free food will be provided from 6-8 p.m. The event will also feature entertainment by The Trailblazer Cloggers, Roan Mountain Church of God, and the Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring Jeff Autrey.

There will also be plenty of activities for children at the event. “We will have inflatables set up,” Holsclaw said.

Those attending can get a free health screening, Holsclaw said, adding they will check blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and other vital signs. Representatives from Marsh Regional Blood Center will also be on hand with a blood drive.

Lots of vendors will be on hand for the event, and Holsclaw said it’s free for vendors to take part. There will be lots of door prizes given away throughout the event, but Holsclaw said you must be present in order to win.

The Celebration will conclude Thursday evening in typical Independence Day fashion with a fireworks show.

“The Roan Mountain Volunteer Fire Department will be doing our fireworks display for us,” Holsclaw said. “They do a fantastic job. It’s a really good fireworks show.”

Members of the community who have not yet done so will also get the chance to meet the facility’s new Administrator, Cody Clark, who was named to the position in October. This marks his first Independence Celebration with the facility.

For more information about the event, contact Jessica Holsclaw at 423-772-0161.