Almost any outdoor event is often times at the mercy of Mother Nature and thus was the case with the annual July 4th Celebration and fireworks show held Monday afternoon and evening at Mountain View Park.

Despite the rains and even mid-afternoon thunderstorms, most of the events were still held and, considering the adverse weather, pretty much heavily attended, especially from late afternoon on, according to Park Director Bobby Reneau.

The heavy rain, which began shortly before 3:30 p.m., less than a half-hour after events were to begin getting underway, all but cancelled the annual car show. However, that show will be rescheduled for a later date, possibly around Labor Day weekend in early September.

The performance by the Clinton County Alumni Band, which was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., was also cancelled due to the rains, which hit again after the band had set up and performed it’s opening song.

However, the band Borderline–which was well accepted by the spectators on hand–did carry on with its performance at 6 p.m. during a brief break in the late afternoon and later evening rainfall.

The inflatables that were set up for the children to enjoy were somewhat hampered, with a couple of them being taken down early, but three others remained up for the entire period, 3 to 8:30 p.m. and as in years past, several children took advantage of the opportunity and purchased armbands which allowed them to use the inflatables all afternoon and evening–after the heaviest rain and thunderstorms, had passed by around 4:30 in the afternoon.

In fact, the local and some surrounding areas had been placed under a severe thunderstorm warning for a short period of time around mid-afternoon Monday. But, as the rains let up later, attendance at the park picked up, according to Reneau.

Somewhat disappointing to many people who braved the weather by coming to the park, or utilizing the Clinton County Middle School parking lot, and the usual heavy line of traffic on both sides of the bypass behind the park, was the fireworks show itself.

This year’s show, put on by Pyrotechnics Company, was timed at 12 minutes, according to Reneau.

The park director questioned the employees after the show was over about the length of time and was told that due to the rains and wet ground, the fireworks would not detonate and cut down on the amount of fireworks being able to be set off.

One bright spot of the celebration and, the newest addition to the annual celebration, was the first annual “Patriot Walk.” People were able to obtain a ‘free’ flow necklace an hour prior to the walk held at 8:30 p.m. and took a walk around the walking track, glowing with their patriotism.

The event, sponsored by the Clinton County Healthy Hometown Coalition, with the walk being led by the CCHS JROTC, saw over 70 people, including almost 40 honored veterans, taking part in the walk.

The veterans who chose to participate in the walk, many of whom were in uniform, led the procession around the half-mile walking track.

Reneau indicated following the events Monday night that, considering the weather conditions and the programs and events which didn’t have to be cancelled, the celebration was still somewhat successful as well as once again well-attended.

This year, the celebration was sponsored by the park board, with assistance from the Healthy Hometown Coalition and other sponsors. The board would like to thank all sponsors and supporters that took part this year.

The board is hoping to expand next year to add some new events…not to mention, hopefully have better weather conditions.

Despite threatening weather that moved through the area from time to time Monday, the annual Fourth of July celebration went on in mostly complete form, including a free fireworks display, top photo, that capped the night’s schedule of events off.

Above, lawn chairs and coolers were popular as people gathered in front of the stage at Mountain View Park to hear Borderline perform, as well as a single song that was played by the C.C.H.S. Alumni Band, below, before a thunderstorm cut their performance short. Above right, fans of all ages enjoyed the water filled inflatable features that were on hand and to those jumping in, the rain that fell didn’t really matter very much.

In the bottom photo, about 70 people, including some 40 local veterans, took part in a Patriot Walk just prior to the fireworks display, making a single lap around the walking track at Mountain View Park, with the Veterans leading the way for the half-mile trek.