Caraway Fourth of July celebration spans 71 years

It was the 71st annual Caraway Fourth of July celebration held Tuesday, July 4, with entertainment, prizes, booths, food vendors, games, bingo games and much more.

The Caraway Fourth of July is an all day celebration ending with a fireworks display.

A good crowd gathered early for a parade with lots of cars, trucks, tractors, four-wheelers, fire trucks, police cars and horses adorned in red, white and blue. The parade was led by Mayor Barry Riley and his wife.

Raising the flag is a tradition at the Caraway Fourth of July Celebration. Caraway has been hosting the Fourth of July activities for 71 years.

Mayor Riley welcomed everyone and thanked Roger Williams and other volunteers who worked hard to make sure the annual tradition continues.

“This is a lifelong tradition for me,” Riley said.

Williams thanked area businesses and individuals for providing nice prizes to be given away. Drawings were held every hour.

Brother Rick Stevens, pastor of Caraway First Baptist Church, opened the park events with prayer for the day and the country. All veterans were invited to the bandstand where they were presented flag/pins. Steven Sanders sang the National Anthem, Manila Cub Scouts led in the Pledge of Allegiance following the flag raising ceremony.

Aaron Bupp with the Caraway Police Department participated in the parade adding to his tribute by placing his great-grandfather's service flag in the patrol car.

The Regeneration Gospel Group was welcomed back to Caraway as they sang for the crowd. Karaoke was held in the afternoon with local talent performing.

A slip and slide kick ball game scheduled to be held in the ballpark had to be cancelled due to rain.

Fortunately, the rain stopped in time for the annual fireworks display to go on schedule.