Lyle is keeping a decades long tradition alive as it celebrates Independence Day a little early this weekend.

“I do know as far back as the late 1800s, early 1900s they’ve always had something to celebrate Independence Day,” co-chair Diana Witt said.

Lyle Lions Club President Ron Frank is working hard to get it going this year, with the help of sub-committees, Witt, who co-chairs the event with Frank.

Though the celebration has been going for a long time, it doesn’t seem to stray from tradition.

“I think a lot of it has to do with tradition. The truck and tractor pull has been just going for 20-some years if not longer,” Witt said. “Every year it gets bigger and better.”

Witt adds it’s easy for families to come home to their hometown with kids because it’s not on the actual holiday, so they can enjoy both celebrations.

“It’s that hometown feeling, where everybody knows everybody and everybody goes after church and after the parade everybody stays in the park for lunch,” Witt said. “It brings families together.”

Witt said it might the only time of the year where family members get to see each other and being able to set the day aside to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends is important.

Live Music:

Friday: 8 p.m. to midnight

Saturday: 8 p.m., Street Dance and “Extreme DJ”

Schedule at a glance:

Friday, June 24:

•Food specials, 5 to 9 p.m.

•Bean Bag Tournament, 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 25:

•Truck, Tractor and Semi Pull, south end of town, 10 a.m.

•Classic Car Show, city park, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

•3B Eatery open, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, June 26:

•Church services in the park, 10 a.m.

•“Smokin’ Brothers BBQ,” 1 to 6 p.m.

•Grand parade, noon

•Flag presentation and speakers, 1 p.m.

•Bingo stand, Southside 4-H, 1 p.m.

•Stump Jumpers — mud bog races, south end, 1 p.m.

•Kids’ games in the park, 1 p.m.

•Horseshoe tournament, Legion, 2 p.m.

•Entertainment, “Big Ben and Brian,” 1:30 to 3 p.m.

•Water fights at fire hall, 2 p.m.

•Pedal Pull, city park, 3:30 p.m.

•Little Miss Lyle, 3:30 p.m.

•Talent show, 4 p.m.

•Fireworks, dusk

Jordan Gerard contributed to this report.