Shelbyville, Bell Buckle mark Independence Day

Flags welcome visitors to Independence Day festivities at H.V. Griffin Park and Shelbyville Recreation Center. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"It's been a team effort," said Jenny Hunt, an alderwoman in Bell Buckle who has headed the drive to see the town park's new amphitheater finished and dedicated. That ceremony took place Saturday evening, before the town celebrated the Fourth with a fireworks display.

"It's amazing how everyone came together on it," Hunt said.

She said that Larry Lowman was instrumental in getting the outdoor stage built, and Alderman James Anderson and Bell Buckle's first lady, Carla Webb, helped contractor Kevin Cottrell get the state-of-the-art light and sound system up and running.

"Kevin's a guru," Webb said.

The Independence Day observance in Bell Buckle drew participants of all ages, including these youngsters, Gracelyn Howard. lef, and Bella Schuld. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Her husband, Mayor Dennis Webb, opened the day's festivities with a few comments, praise for Hunt's hard work, and a prayer.

"This is a day of milestones," he said. "America celebrates the day the Declaration of Independence as signed, and we're also celebrating the opening of the amphitheater."

Bell Buckle's Charles Cook was the rally master for the seventh annual Rally Round the Park, a sports car rally that raises funds for the park.

"We had more entries this year than we've ever had," Hunt said.

She stopped at one point to answer a frantic call from her daughter who was participating in the rally and had gotten temporarily off track.

"She wants to change her category," Hunt said. "There's Car Load, Never Been in A Rally, Been in a Rally -- and Lost as an Easter Egg,"

A few minutes later, another call had her daughter back on track, and out of the Easter Egg category.

Bell Buckle residents came out to hear live music before the fireworks show at the park. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

As the rally competitors wound through Bedford County, following directions based on the number 4 and answering questions such as "What school has the same name as a waterfall?," other members of the community were gathering at the Coop pavilion in the park, bringing side dishes while the hamburgers the city provided cooked on the grill.

Not just at the Bell Buckle celebration, but all across the county the state and the country people came together, paid and unpaid, to create memorable celebrations.

In Shelbyville, local civic organizations donated time and supplies, helping the city's Parks and Rec department with its observation of the day. Churches offered dinners and get-togethers, and even individuals opened up their homes to the public, welcoming them in the share the fun and fellowship.

In Shelbyville, the disc golf course at H.V. Griffin Park was opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tournament, then was made available for general public use. Course designer Tom Monroe, Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright and Bedford County Mayor Eugene Ray (who also serves as city park board president) participated in the ceremonies.

A "tea party" political rally, protesting what organizers claim to be excessive federal spending, was also scheduled at the park, trying to draw on the symbolism of the protests that led to the first Independence Day in 1776.

Fireworks lit up the sky all over Bedford County well into the night. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Of course, it wouldn't be America if someone wasn't reaping a little financial benefit from the holiday. At a lemonade stand made by her father and located on the sidewalk of Bell Buckle's Marathon Marker, 5-year-old Keri-lyn Morton was doing brisk business.

"I thought it would be fun," she said as she took in another dollar or two. "I'm going to give 10 percent to God and put some in my piggy bank."

The rest, said her father, Hunter, she gets to have fun with.

A lone motorcycle rider watched from the back of his Harley, wrapped in black leather with a bandanna on, as the little girl handed another glass of lemonade over. He'd already finished one glass and as getting ready for seconds.

"What better thing to do on the Fourth of July than to teach your children entrepreneurship," he said. "I admire you folks for teaching her this."

--City editor John I. Carney contributed to this story.