In 1991, Desert Storm veterans were coming home, and the nation was ready to celebrate the safe return of troops.

A group in Charleston formed to plan a community event for the Fourth of July.

“A lot of parents of Desert Storm veterans got together to have a small celebration that turned into a large celebration,” Betty Coffrin, one of the original Red, White and Blue Days committee members, said.

Coffrin’s son Corey served in the 233rd Military Police Company in Desert Storm.

Today, three-fourths of the committee is either veterans or parents of veterans.

“We’re a patriotic group,” Coffrin said. “We’ve always worked to make our celebration first and foremost patriotic. It’s a good day for that.”

In the past, the evening of July 3 is the biggest part of the celebration, drawing between 5,000 and 8,000 visitors to Morton Park for the headline concert.

This year’s main act is country musician Heidi Newfield. Newfield takes the stage at 8 p.m. Friday night. The opening act, featuring Hello Dave, starts at 6 p.m.

The Red, White and Blue Barbecue will begin at 4 p.m. that afternoon and ends after the Newfield concert. The barbecue is the key fundraiser for the event.

“We encourage people to come out and buy food from us on the grounds to help fund next year’s celebration,” Coffrin said.

The committee expects Saturday’s celebration to rival Friday night’s crowd this year because of former “Dancing With the Stars” competitor Chuck Wicks’ high profile.

“We’ve basically got two headline acts,” Coffrin said.

Committee member Chuck Ziebka, owner of Z’s Music on the square, has been able to secure quality acts in the group’s price range consistently through a booking agent.

“He’s in the music and sound business,” Coffrin said of his connections.

The celebration on the Fourth of July will include inflatable bounce houses and slides, food stands run by local organizations including the Knights of Columbus and the Boy Scouts and a run/walk sponsored by Habitat for Humanity.

A highlight for Coffrin is the Coles County Arts Council’s Great Chalk-In, starting at 9 a.m. The contestants from all age groups are assigned a square of sidewalk to decorate patriotically. Contest winners will be chosen by the art council.

“It is absolutely phenomenal to see all the talent that we have in all the different age groups,” she said. “It’s fun to just walk around and look at.”

At dusk, the Coles County Memorial Airport will host the yearly fireworks display. Shuttles to and from Charleston will be available.

Sarah Ruholl can be reached at 581-7943 or at seruholl2@eiu.edu.