By Allen Hamrick
On July the 4th, families gathered together for cookouts, fireworks, camping, boating and whatever else people do to entertain themselves. It was a time to reflect on the beginnings of our great country. We still have the freedom to remember and reflect. Camping spots were full, and fish were running scared as fishermen hit the rivers and lakes. Fireworks were sold and wallets emptied; backyards and hollers became filled with smoke, and the sulfur smelling haze drifted into open doors and made homes smell like a war zone. The Redcoats were raised from the dead, in target form, and blasted with shotguns to the cheers of many as the Revolutionary War was once again on display in backyards. Glasses full of the finest strain of hill medicine your stomach could stand were raised to toast the freedoms we have to party like animals.
Independence has many components, and as long as a person has determination and a brain and uses them, they can enjoy financial success, gain a good education, invent, go to church, own property, have a career and the list goes on. Independence doesn’t just come from winning wars but also the sacrifice of those who have long since passed who were the guinea pigs to whoever was in power at the time to perfect the life we live today. Politics are politics, and if a person gets too close to it, they become mad and end up like sheep who can’t even think for themselves anymore and our freedom we hold dear becomes as last year’s green beans. There is not one thing we can do about it, so why worry? We just wait for the dung to roll downhill and over top of us. In the meantime, we still have freedom and we intend on putting into practice it as long as it lasts. So…
July 6th rolls around, and it was revelry time in Clay as we celebrated Independence Day in Clay County fashion. It started off slow, but in time people let their hair down, whooped it up and painted the town red. Our separation from England became our own…..so to speak. Thanks to the deep pockets of CMI2, we celebrated our freedom in a spectacular way with a street party that would rival a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. Local talent brought out the strings, drums and microphones and filled the hills with country music, oldies and newbies. People were dancing in the shade and cutting the rust off their heels.
It was hot enough to evaporate a water buffalo, and I may have overheard someone say they brought some eggs to eat that their chickens laid that morning already boiled…it was hot. Either way, after Mayor Hubbard opened up the festivities with words of wisdom, it was Logan Truman who started the party, and start it, he did. Soon as he began slingin’ chords on his six string, you knew it was gonna be good time. He was a mix between Chris Stapleton and Charlie Daniels and was laying down the vibes to get the spirit going. The boy needs to be in Nashville and become the next Charlie Daniels. Patriot hats and glasses were given away, and they were a welcome personal shade to a naked head. It was kind of a drag that nobody gave away personal cold fronts that would have been readily used. Local artisans like the Trumans, Morrises, Holleys and others brought in their finest wares for sale to the passersby, and people got the opportunity to get involved in the art with mug painting. Faces were painted and were walking galleries of the artist who created the masterpieces. The food vendors were feeding the masses with local delicacies like barbecue and baked goods that would calm the bear in anybody’s belly.
Local fishermen Luke Stewart and Micah Osborne have hit it big on the bass trail and are nearing the top of the food chain in professional bassin’. They will be heading to the national high school championship in August and need support for their trip. They were on hand with their BBQ and undoubtedly sold out. These boys have the skill to get to the big dance, and we will be looking forward to see how they do. Corn hole boards was brought out and the 4th of July tournament got started with some of the finest bag flingers in the county. Once that was finished, it was time for the Clay County equivalent of Rush to take the stage. It was the Tim Miller band who entertained the crowd for two hours with roaring voices and cranked up amps driving the weakest legs to get up and dance. Who needs a band that charges a house mortgage for two hours when you can get the talent from our backyard? These boys lung busting music and instrument work was crankin’ and carried the show into the night.
When the night wrapped around the hills and the sky turned dark, it was time for the icing on the cake…the fireworks. People dotted the hillside everywhere, sitting on tailgates with eyes fixed on the sky. This year’s fireworks, brought to you by CMI2, promised to be a big one, and the show did not disappoint anybody. It started with a rapid fire to get a person’s attention and from there it was 16 minutes of pure adrenalin rush as the explosions filled the night sky with color and brilliance. The show finished in spectacular fashion with an explosion that rocked the windows and spread light from one end of the town to the other with high arching flare.
Simply put, this 4th of July party was a good time and finished as the country started – with a shot heard round the world. Thanks to all those who put this event together for the citizenry; it was a much needed event. Remember this as we celebrate – take time to reflect on our country’s history. America is a place where hard work, a strong mind and love of country and her people should be top on the list. Remember where you came from because it will light the path to the future. This country is still one of the greatest countries to live in, so enjoy the freedoms and don’t ever take it for granted.
