TYLER COUNTY – Call it a semi-quincentennial, or a quarter-millennium, but whatever you call it, America’s 250th birthday celebration is a big one.
Celebrations to commemorate the 250th year since the Declaration of Independence was unanimously adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, will occur at the national level, and all over the country.
Tyler County is hosting a countywide celebration at the fairgrounds for the Fourth of July, and organizers are encouraging everyone to come and join in for some “old-fashioned fun, small-town pride and big American spirit.”
The celebration begins at 4 p.m., and will culminate with an epic fireworks display by the Read family.
Some of the different activities that are planned for the celebration include a car show, an art contest and a “Little Miss/Mr. Fourth of July Photo Contest.”
For the photo contest, the organizers are asking participants to send patriotic-themed photographs of children ages three and under, in 5”x7” format to Leann Monk, Tyler County Treasurer, at 100 West Bluff, Room 003 in Woodville. The deadline for entries in this contest is Thursday, June 30.
Organizers are also looking for vendors of various types, from food vendors to crafts and boutique vendors, and this is open to churches, youth groups, softball teams, civic groups, and at no cost. The spots are limited due to electricity availability, and vendor applications can be obtained from Monk, either in person, from her office, or by emailing lmonk.cotreas@tyler.tx.us.
The art contest is asking for creations from school-age students from three categories: elementary, junior high and high school to display at the fairgrounds.
Those submissions should be turned into Monk’s office, and should represent what the Fourth of July means to the artist. The mediums accepted are drawings, paintings or photographs.
There are some other fun activities planned within the celebration, including a hot dog eating contest; cornhole and washer tournaments; a wiffle ball tournament and homemade ice cream contest. A full schedule of the activities will be published closer to the event.
