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Snap, Crackle, Pop
By Naiesha Thobe
And this isn’t an advertisement for Kellog’s Rice Krispies.
Those noises were very audible to the many people who gathered to “ooh”
and “ahh” at the bright lights that lit up the Sunday night sky. The
Eagle’s 6th annual 4th of July celebration brought thousands of
civilians together for one reason: Independence Day. But, rewind, to
earlier that day...
The Eagle’s Shade Road Park opened its gates to the public, free of
charge, to enjoy the 4th of July weekend. On Sunday, the festivities
began at 3 p.m., kicking off the second day of the bash with a live
band. Guests were treated to the fine talents of Tempest, allowing them
to reminisce the past while ever-popular 60’s music played. The music
brought smiles to the faces of hundreds of guests until they switched
off to the next phase of the evening; they were not to be outdone.
While more participants continued to pour in, Classified took the
stage. People around weren’t shy… they pulled on their dancing shoes
and eagerly ‘boogied down’ while awaiting dusk.
Music wasn’t the only source of entertainment for the community to
enjoy. A 50/50 raffle was being held for all who wished to participate.
For the younger ones, the park already has a playground… but that was
not all. Children also had the opportunity to play games such as
cornhole or hillbilly golf. A bouncing castle was provided and proved
to be a source of great amusement for the children. And for all of
those who wished to indulge in such a creation, they could become a
subject of their very own personalized caricature, performed by Paul
Ackley.
On top of the entertainment, fun, and games, a person isn’t likely to
forget about one of the most important aspects of a celebration: food.
Concession stands littered the parking lot, tempting visitors with
signs reading Deep fried Oreos or Bowman’s Texas Tenderloin. Not to
mention the looming Kettle Corn stand selling bags of flavored popcorn
- blue raspberry, chocolate, or caramel. All types of refreshments were
constantly available. Guests had the choice of braving the sun and
enjoying the music while lounging at a picnic table, or they could
retreat into an air-conditioned building to escape Mother Nature’s warm
grasp.
Then last but not least, the most important spectacle. For once a year,
citizens do not have to wonder if the flashes in the sky and the
echoing rumbles will turn into a devestating storm. No, those flashes
and booms are ones that people of all ages look forward to - and this
year was no different. The fireworks display pulled in an estimated
3,000 or more, to a point where the Eagles Park was full. Cars parked
bumper-to-bumper in the side ditch, lining Shade Road and State Route
502. Some less adventurous people pulled their vehicles to a stop on
Greenville Nashville and New Madison-Coletown Road. But no matter where
you watched from, it was easy to spot the magnificence when the
fireworks lit up the sky.
All too soon, the festivities had drawn to a close. As it could be
said, it was ‘all over but the shouting’ as people showed their support
with screams and clapping. Some people sat to sit and chat, while
others revved their engines in hopes to escape the impending traffic
jam. All that’s left of the Eagle’s 4th of July celebration is the
clean up. If you missed the celebration this year, don’t fret. July
4th, 2012 will be here before you know it.
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