|
Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
Wilton marks holiday with food, fun, fireworks
|
Photo by Fran Soto
A fireworks finale follows an evening of food, games and patriotic music at the Wilton Independence Day celebration at Wilton Bible Church on Saturday, July 3.
|
By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
-
Wilton celebrated America’s Independence Day at the Wilton Bible Church on Saturday, July 3 with an evening of good food, fun games, patriotic music, some inspirational words about freedom and a fireworks display.
The festivities began at 6 p.m. Families with children of all ages joined with young adults and couples to enjoy the evening and visit with friends and neighbors. Wilton resident Doris Ketelsen, former teacher with the Wilton Christian School, found the potluck dinner a chance to greet former students and catch up. “We’re thankful for the United States of American,” Ketelsen said. “And we’re thankful for God being honored in our country.”
As everyone enjoyed the dinner, Wilton residents Jason Harms and Brandon Doering were busy setting up the fireworks stand out in the sports field. They hosed down the area to prepare for the show. Harms, who is a handyman in the Wilton area, built the stand, which elevated the fireworks so that the audience could get the full effect when the display is lit and fireworks shoot into the air.
“We have some teenage helpers tonight, and they really enjoy helping to light the fireworks,” Harms said. “Our fireworks were donated. Some came from the Wilton Christian School fireworks stand and some came from the Dillard Elementary stand.”
While waiting for the sun to set, there were plenty of games and activities to keep everyone busy. The first game was a balloon toss as participants lined up with partners and tossed water balloons. With each toss, one partner stepped back a pace and the game continued until all but one balloon had landed on the blacktop and splattered the players. This game was repeated several times.
For those who preferred an activity without the chance of getting soaked, Pastor Clint Jeffcott organized a trivia game with questions relevant to the Fourth of July. The teams were given the names Team Even and Team Odd based upon a person's date of birth. The score was very close, with Team Even winning by just a few points.
The evening was also a time for everyone to sit back and enjoy some patriotic instrumental music performed by the Espineda family. John Keifer led a group sing-along, and Laura Jeffcott and Neva Jones both sang solos. Pastor Jeffcott took the last few minutes before nightfall to give a short talk on liberty and freedom. “I’m so glad you’ve all come tonight to celebrate with us,” he said.
After food and fun games, attendees gathered in the field as daylight fell to enjoy the fireworks display. Children exclaimed with delight as the colorful fireworks lit up the sky. Although the display was not a gigantic one with a long finale, Wiltonites could be heard praising the fireworks that seemed perfect for a hometown country celebration.
|
Online publication, Copyright 2005, The River Valley Times.
Web page design,
Copyright 2005, EZ Edit Web Publishing.
|
|
| |