WINSLOW — Country music star John Michael Montgomery will perform at the 2014 Winslow Family Fourth of July celebration, according to committee chairman Kevin Douglass.

Douglass made the announcement late Sunday afternoon at Halifax Park during the second day of the 23rd annual celebration.

The five-day event includes a giant parade, fireworks, food, children’s activities and live entertainment.

Montgomery, 48, known for his songs, “I Swear,” “I Love the Way You Love Me,” and “I Can Love You Like That,” is an award-winning singer-songwriter and a Danville, Ky., native.

“His show is booked for July third, next year,” Douglass said.

In May, Douglass said a huge announcement would be made June 30 this year that would be “probably the biggest announcement the Winslow Family Fourth of July has ever made in regards to its entertainment. It will change forever the way the Winslow Family Fourth of July has its entertainment.”

Douglass said Winslow Fourth committee members have noted the kinds of entertainment that draw crowds to the event the last several years.

“It seemed to be country music,” he said.

Committee members decided to have a national country music act come to Winslow, and they are negotiating a contract with Montgomery, he said.

The committee is going to enlist the public’s help to fund his performance by asking that people pitch in whatever they can — a dollar, 25 cents, or even 10 cents, according to Douglass.

The performance will be free and open to the public, he said, but a lot of money will have to be raised.

“If everybody donated a dollar … we’d be able to put the event on without the hassle of having to raise money at the last minute,” he said.

He said Montgomery is performing for less than what he usually charges.

“We’re looking at about $25,000 to $30,000,” Douglass said. “He actually is working with us quite well and his average show is a lot more than that. He has cut a lot of (the cost) for us. You usually don’t get people of that caliber willing to take less, especially over the Fourth of July.”

Monday’s events at Fort Halifax Park include a golden afternoon and bean supper starting at noon; the French band, LeFamille Leblanc, 2-2:30 p.m.; oldies music with Bob Scovil and The Intruders, 4-5:30 p.m.; classic rock with “Almost There,” 6-9 p.m.; and the Fourth of July Idol competition.

On Tuesday, a free family fun day will be held at the park noon to 9 p.m. It will include a free pizza from Pizza Hut to the first 500 children to arrive, a truck display, a milking demonstration by Caverly’s Farm, a live alligator and a 2,000-pound camel, bounce houses, games and pony rides.

Acoustic acts are on tap from noon to 5 p.m. and hot dog and whoopie pie eating contests from 5 to 7 p.m. Wrestling in the Park will be 7-9 p.m.

Wednesday is Laughter & Dance in the Park Day. Comedian Tim Sample will perform noon to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. An Elvis impersonator will perform 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. A street dance featuring the classic rock band Spare Change, as well as DJ Showdown, will be 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Thursday the giant parade will be 10 a.m. to noon, with music all afternoon in the park. Jessica Prouty, a rock ‘n roll band, will perform 2-2:30 p.m.; Radio Thieves, featuring classic rock, 4-5:30 p.m.; Bad Penny, the country band, 5:30-7 p.m.; Scarab, the Journey tribute band, 7:30-9 p.m.; and bagpipers, 9-9:30 p.m.

A fireworks display will kick off at 9:30 p.m.

Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com