Licking celebrates Independence Day
Photos by Shari Harris
The fireworks show was enjoyed by many.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
The annual celebration of July 4th in Licking was held Saturday evening at Deer Lick Park with food, live music and a crescendo of fireworks.
Vendors opened at 5 p.m., offering burgers and hot dogs, freshly squeezed lemonade, ice cream, sno cones and more. Face painting by the McConnells, free bottles of water by Licking Church of Christ, and free glow sticks, sunglasses, candy, bubbles and snap bands by Boone Creek Baptist Church made the event feel all inclusive and family friendly.
Every Other Sunday, of Rolla, provided live music and even a brief downpour didn’t stop the music. Listeners found shelter in buildings and under umbrellas, canopies, playground equipment, and pavilions and waited for the shower to end.
The Knights of Columbus concluded their raffle of a Trager Pro 22 Smoker at 8 p.m., and Jon Murray was the winner. Joan Weir won second prize – a single burner, tabletop gas grill.
The parking areas filled long before the fireworks show began, and steady streams of people coursed back and forth between the park and their vehicles throughout the evening.
Finally, at dark, the first volleys of fireworks were heard, and the night sky was lit by the explosions of fireworks over the ball fields. Hundreds enjoyed the show – a fitting finale to an evening of community and fun at the park.
Every Other Sunday provided live music for the evening.
Among the vendors were The Main Squeeze, in their new trailer, serving freshly squeezed lemonade with a smile.
Photos by Shari Harris
