BLOOMING GROVE —
Blooming Grove residents cheered, ran and sang to mark the beginning of a weekend of Fourth of July celebrations on Saturday.
Patriotism shone through as the Rev. Darron Hill read a short script from the Constitution and led the crowd in prayers and the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner.”
The day started out with non-profit Leap of Faith holding their fourth annual Main Street Mile race to help raise the required $1,200 of funds for a new BGISD track and field record board.
Among the winners were event organizer Jodie Hawkins’s two sons Hunter and Coe and Corsicana-based Dr. Matthew Branch, along with other members of his family.
“I would like to see this get bigger. The kids get to come and race in the summer and the money goes to the school for a track and field record board, so we have broken even. It has been successful,” Hawkins said.
Once the race cones were cleared, the parade then began with members of the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office leading the way. They were followed by Blooming Grove fire trucks, and floats representing the Blooming Grove Historical Society, the city council, First United Methodist Church and businesses including Plantasia, America’s Dream Real Estate and the Inn at Blooming Grove. Classic cars were also involved in the parade as candy was thrown to sweet-toothed kids on either side of Main Street. They were quickly followed by a show of tractors.
A ceremony to raise the flag was then held, along with singing, prayers, and the recognition of veterans from WWII, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The celebrations have gone great, we are glad to have everybody here. The turnout for Blooming Grove is really good. We are especially grateful to have the veterans with us,” said Blooming Grove Mayor Jeanette Wisdom.
A number of other fundraisers were ongoing throughout the morning and afternoon with the Blooming Grove Masonic Lodge selling barbecue sandwiches and a bake sale being held to raise money for the Lone Oak Cemetery.
The town’s volunteer fire department was also out in force selling T-shirts, raffle tickets, snacks and drinks.
Later a melon-seed spitting contest and cookie-walk were held on the tennis courts to raise money for the historical society.
“I enjoyed seeing the flag because I know what those flags stand for. As far as the celebration, it’s a representation of the freedoms that we have here. There are a lot of countries where you can’t go out and celebrate and socialize,” said Blooming Grove resident Mary English.
Independence Day celebrations will take place on Monday in Corsicana and Kerens.
Kerens will have children’s games, hot dogs, barbecue and a fireworks display in the baseball field at City Park. The food and fun will start at 7 p.m., with fireworks lighting up the sky after dark. The event is sponsored by the Kerens Chamber of Commerce.
In Corsicana, the Freedom Festival will be from 6 to 10 p.m. at the I.O.O.F. Park. It will include live music, a water-slide bounce house, vendors selling everything from cold watermelon to barbecue and snow cones, and the county’s largest fireworks display.
The Freedom Festival is sponsored by the Corsicana Rotary Club, with the generosity of underwriting trusts.
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Due to early deadlines for the Tuesday, July 5 newspaper, coverage of the Corsicana Freedom Festival will appear in the Wednesday print edition of the Daily Sun. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? Email: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
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Daily Sun photo/Ron Farmer Veterans of the Vietnam War were grand marshals Saturday in the Blooming Grove July 4 celebration. The day include music, food, fun, and a fun-run through the streets of Blooming Grove. Rice also celebrated its July 4 holiday on Saturday. Corsicana and Kerens have celebrations on tap for Monday night. See more photos from the area July 4 celebrations on the Daily Sun Facebook page at www.facebook.com/corsicanadailysun
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Daily Sun photo/Ron Farmer A bench honoring Blooming Grove veterans in the city's downtown park. Blooming Grove celebrated America's freedom on Saturday with a day-long celebration. See more photos of the event on the Daily Sun Facebook page.
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Daily Sun photo/Ron Farmer The Navarro County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard leads the Blooming Grove 4th of July Parade Saturday through the streets of downtown. Rice also celebrated the July 4 holiday Saturday. Kerens and Corsicana's celebrations are slated for Monday. See more photos from the holiday weekend events on the Daily Sun Facebook page at www.facebook.com/corsicanadailysun
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Daily Sun photo/Ron Farmer No parade is complete without horses, dogs, and kids. All were present Saturday for the downtown Blooming Grove July 4 celebration. A fun-run and parade highlighted morning activities in the downtown area.
Discussion
Area celebrations highlight July 4 holiday weekend
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