HOPE — When it comes to the Fourth of July holiday, Hope residents like to get a jump on celebrating.
Many of the town’s 2,100 residents gathered around the town square Friday for the five-hour Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration — six days before the actual holiday.
"That allows us to come together as a community tonight to celebrate with each other, but still focus on their families at public or private events on the Fourth (of July)," said Lizzie Flora, director of the Yellow Trail Museum, which sponsors the annual event.
Residents and the board members of the Yellow Trail Museum welcomed the return of volunteer and the event’s organizer Barb Johnson, who missed last year’s celebration because she was hospitalized.
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Kid-friendly
One of the appeals of the Independence Day celebration is that most activities are meant to attract children, said Susan Thayer Fye, executive director of Main Street of Hope.
For example, Friday’s festivities started with the crowning of Azlyn Whittington, 8, and Mason Morrow, 7, as Little Miss Sparkler and Mr. Firecracker.
In the penny vote competition, Azlyn and Mason raised a combined $313.55 that will go to the Yellow Trail Museum.
As their reward, Azlyn and Mason were allowed to join President Abraham Lincoln (aka actor Danny Russel) in leading 23 children on a parade of decorated bicycles, tricycles, wagons and strollers.
While the children proudly made their way around the town square, two popular songs blared across the town square: the traditional "Battle Hymn of The Republic" and Woody Guthrie’s "This Land is Your Land."
While Mason pulled his little brother, Ryder, in a flag-covered wagon, Azlyn pulled a wagon with a stuffed Boxer dog named Grant. Created with the help of her grandmother, the wagon was meant to honor her real pet that died last year, Azlyn said.
Throughout the evening, some of the youngest participants seemed to have the best time.
Rayner Kern had two bags filled with ping pong balls attached to his belt. The 3-year-old could not stop laughing as he frantically jumped up and down until all the balls fell on the ground.
And then there were brave older youngsters such as Allyson Baxter, 6, who accepted the challenge of walking on stilts.
"It was like really, really hard," Allyson said. "But I was able to stay up for almost a minute — without my parents’ help."
Personal interaction
As they sat on a bench watching children at the playground, both Josh and Amanda Gates of Hope said they were enjoying the serenity of watching kids play with each other, instead of with their cellphones or smartphones.
Other adults said felt the same way, saying they preferred the old-fashioned human interaction.
Nevertheless, two Hauser graduates used modern communication devises to help unify all the activities. Back after a year’s absence, Bobby Waddle and Mike Asher served as masters of ceremonies by taking wireless microphones to all the different festivities around the square. Together, they broadcasted their conversations to those in attendance.
"When we talk to folks, it’s not about us," Asher said. "This is about everyone visiting the town of Hope. We want to mingle with them while trying to to help the vendors sell their food. But most of all, we want to help everyone put their troubles out of their minds for a few hours and have fun."
Tasty treats
The longest food line led to the Yellow Trail Museum booth, which was serving fish fried by members of the Hartsville Volunteer Fire Department.
But another popular food stop was the Kappa Kappa Sigma booth, where homemade ice cream and apple, peach and cherry crisps were provided to an appreciative crowd.
Chapter president Carolyn Dailey said the Independence Day celebration is an important fundraiser for her organization.
"We almost do as much business here as we do during the Hope Heritage Days," Dailey said.
Money raised by Kappa Kappa Sigma goes to nonprofit causes and projects such as Dollars for Scholars, the Hope playground — and even for life-saving equipment needed by the Hope Volunteer Fire Department, Dailey said.
Exceptionally popular was the cake walk. Reminiscent of musical chairs, cake walkers step from one numbered circle to another. As soon as the music stops, the person standing on a randomly chosen number earns the right to go to the dessert table and pick an item of their choice.
At one point, 22 people — an almost even mix of adults and children — walked in the circle, with another 10 waiting in line for their opportunity to win cakes, fudge, cookies and muffins.
When visitors needed a break from the warm temperatures, they cooled down with air conditioning and ice cream floats at the Yellow Trail Museum.
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2019 winners
Little Miss Sparkler: Azlyn Whittington, 8
Mr. Firecracker: Mason Morrow, 7
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Grand prize winners for the Apple pie baking contest:
Child: Addie Dailey
Adult: David Wiwi
Both received $25 prizes.
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