John Morrisey had a son fighting in the Middle East. When he and other families in Charleston found out that their children would be returning from war, they began to meet to plan a welcome home party.

This was in 1990, when American troops were fighting the Persian Gulf War. The welcome home party has evolved into an annual event in Charleston, Red, White and Blue Days.

The welcome home party consisted of a parade beginning downtown and ending at Morton Park, where the families of the returned soldiers celebrated their homecoming.

“There was a bell at Morton Park, and we let all the families ring the bell,” said Morrisey.

Sixteen years later, the bell ringing ceremony is still a part of the Red, White and Blue Days festival. The participants of the ceremony are usually local veterans.

“They are selected as veterans of the Korean War and other people associated with the armed forces,” said Morrisey.

However, this year’s bell ringing ceremony will have participants of a different background. This year’s ceremony will commemorate the 175th anniversary of Charleston’s founding.

Participants in this year’s bell ringing ceremony include Mayor John Inyart, members of the Charleston City Council, the oldest resident of Charleston and the newest family in town, Morrisey said.

Another popular part of Red, White and Blue Days is the entertainment. This year’s entertainment features Josh Gracin, who competed on the second season of “American Idol,” and Trent Tomlinson, an up-and-coming country performer.

Gracin will perform at 8 p.m. Monday, and Tomlinson will perform at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Country performers seem to well accepted by the Charleston community and the crowds continue to grow, said Morrisey.

Other entertainment offered during the festival includes fireworks to be held at Coles County Memorial Airport and all-you-can-eat ice cream on Tuesday. Shuttle bus services will be provided to the airport to watch the fireworks. Shuttle services will begin at 6 p.m.

Tickets for all-you can-eat ice cream will be sold for $2 and last the entire day. This is a very popular attraction at the festival, said Morrisey.

“We have [people] lined up most of the afternoon for that,” he said.

On Monday evening, the local chapter of 4H will be hosting their 11th annual BBQ pork chop dinner as part of the festival.

4H sponsors the event to raise money that helps pay to produce the 4H show, to participate in county, regional and state events, to buy ribbons for the 4H show, to support production of its monthly newsletter and to pay for project manuals.

The organization’s goal is to raise $2,000 with the event, said Linda Foster, community worker for the University of Illinois Extension, which runs 4H.

Other local not-for-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity and the Charleston Jaycees, are also sponsoring events.

Habitat for Humanity will be sponsoring the “Four on the Fourth” foot race. Last year, the event raised $4,300 for the organization. Hopes for this year are to raise $6,000 from corporate sponsorships and participant donations, said Roy Lanham, chair for the “Four on the Fourth” committee for Habitat for Humanity.

Registration for the race is $20 and can be mailed in or paid at the event. Registration will be Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 a.m. The race begins at 7:30 a.m.

As of Wednesday morning, 55 participants had signed up to compete in the race. Last year, 120 people participated, and Lanham is hoping for 150 to compete Tuesday.

Lanham said that he has faith in the Charleston community and their American spirit.

“Americans have always stepped up and helped those in need,” he need.

The Charleston Jaycees will be hosting their annual children’s games during the festival. During this event, children will participate in such childhood games as relay races, three-legged races and potato sack races.

In addition to the children games, the Jaycees will also offer the opportunity for parents to have an ID kit prepared for their children.

The ID kit will contain records of the child’s date of birth and address, as well as a sample of their DNA and their fingerprints.

“We have never had the opportunity to do it in the community,” said Christina White, president of the Jaycees.

This service is being offered for $3 per child or two children for $5. The Coles County Sheriff’s Office is cosponsoring the event.