Thursdays in Pella kicks off the 4th of July weekend with the theme “All About the U.S. of A, Volunteering, Serving, and Protecting”.  Organizer Paul Kingma says there will be representatives from the National Guard, Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, and Police and Fire Departments.  There will also be displays of equipment used by the armed forces, police department and fire department.  Festivities will be held this evening from 6 to 9 in Central Park in downtown Pella.  The KNIA/KRLS Big Red Radio will be there providing music and making announcements.