When Debbie Burris and her husband, Dennis, moved to Auburn last December, little did they know that a mere six months later they'd be holding a dance party on Main Street for the Fourth of July.

Really, they had no intentions of starting their own business either, but that happened as well when they opened Wild Country, a country-western dance and eating establishment, in April.

The Burris family, which includes Debbie, Dennis and five children ages 7 to 18, moved to Auburn because of their primary family business, Burris Contracting. They had lived in Metcalfe County, but most of their construction work was around the Bowling Green area. They chose to settle in Auburn because “I like small towns,” Debbie said.

Dennis and many of his construction crew are in a band together called Country Wildfire. The band is the real reason the Burrises ended up leasing a building.

“We opened this because a majority of my husband's crew is in the band and they needed a place to play,” Debbie explained.

As they began looking for a location, the Fountain Square Antique building in Auburn became available, and the large size was perfect for what they had in mind.

Debbie said Lem Johnson, from whom they are buying the building, has been wonderful in helping them get started. She has also enjoyed the support of others in the community, including Auburn Mayor Dewey Roche and Nan Collier of Nan's Restaurant.

When it comes to turning an antique store into a place for dancing, eating and games, it helps to own your own construction company.

Debbie said the construction crew was great about pitching in and helping with the renovation.

The first room in Wild Country, which still houses the fountain, features tables and a bar area where people can order drinks (all non-alcoholic), snacks and several food items. The upstairs also features tables.

The large middle room is home to the stage and dance floor as well as additional tables. The back room houses pool tables and video games. Debbie said they keep games like cards, Uno and others on hand for families to use as well.

“We really are a family place,” Debbie said. “We have babies in strollers and children.”

The Burris children are often there, with the older ones working in the food area and the younger ones sometimes joining the dances.

Wild Country is open from 6 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is $5 for ages 12 and up, $3 for ages 6-11 and children 5 and under are free.

The band Country Wildfire plays on those nights and during their break time there are dance shows featuring various line and country-western dances.

Debbie said they have had good crowds since opening. Although people from Bowling Green and Franklin have been coming, there are also have many locals who come on a regular basis.

“My locals are what's made me,” Debbie said. “The people we've met are wonderful.”

In addition to their Friday and Saturday night activities, Wild Country is open Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. for dance lessons. On Tuesday, Debbie teaches new dances and on Thursday they focus on dance for exercise and health. Admission those nights is the same as on weekends.

Wild Country has already hosted two weddings and is available for rental for weddings, parties or other special events.

Debbie said they were considering some kind of activity on the Fourth of July, and when they realized nothing else was going on in the city they decided to hold a block party.

“We wanted to have a street dance,” Debbie said.

The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. and go until 10 p.m. Main Street in Auburn will be closed during that time from Caldwell Street to Pearl Street, right in front of Wild Country.

The day will begin with karaoke from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. From then on, various bands will take the stage and WGGC will have a live broadcast from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

There will also be a dunking booth and possibly some vendors. Debbie said there is no booth rental fee and any arts or crafts or other vendors interested in participating that day should call her at 542-4203 for more information about setting up.

Food will be available, with Nan's Restaurant providing sides for meals.

The theme for the day will be the same as it is every weekend at Wild Country.

“Good fun, family and friends,” Debbie said.