Each year the village of Sunbury celebrates Independence Day, but this year’s celebration comes with a double twist.

First, it’s Sunbury’s bicentennial year. On Nov. 9, 1816, brothers Lawrence and William Myers platted the village of Sunbury in a forest along the Walhondig Indian trail which intersected with an Indian trail from Raccoon Town, near today’s Johnstown, to Alum Creek.

Second, in keeping with the village’s bicentennial, the typically daylong Independence Day celebration has been extended into a three-day weekend bicentennial bash.

Sunbury’s traditional Fourth of July parade will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 2. For parade information and float registration, go to the Sunbury/Big Walnut Chamber of Commerce website at sunburybigwalnutchamber.com.

Veterans who served in Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan will be honored during the parade. Veterans who would like to participate should contact Donna Evans at [email protected].

Bikes & trikes participants should gather at the southwest corner of Granville and Columbus streets at 9:30 a.m. for judging and then enter the parade as it goes by.

Saturday also includes the village’s Antiques, Arts & Crafts Fair on the Square from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

From 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 3, Sunbury’s Ministerial Association will present an old-fashioned community picnic on the square. Pack a picnic basket, bring blankets and chairs, and be prepared for old-fashioned games at 6:30, an outhouse race at 7, and live music at 7:30. Ministers from local fellowships will provide concessions.

Monday, July 4, features the 9 a.m. Freedom 5K Walk/Run starting Sunbury Square; and the 17th annual Corey Lehman Memorial Volleyball Tournament at Big Walnut High School, also at 9 a.m. More information and tournament entry forms are available at sunburybigwalnutchamber.com.

As the day draws to a close, area residents will gather at Big Walnut High School for a Independence Day party capped by Sunbury’s “July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular.” The Big Walnut area’s fireworks display will begin at about 10 p.m.

For more information, contact the chamber office at 740-965-2860, or log on to sunburybigwalnutchamber.com; or go to the Big Walnut Civic Association website at bigwalnutcivicassociation.com.