If you ever doubted Allen’s love of country and community, you obviously weren’t in town this past Saturday. From the parade to the fireworks, Allen celebrated the 4th of July (on the 6th) in grand style.

It started at 5:00 with the parade down Main Street. Well decorated old cars, golf carts, 4-wheelers, bikes, kid cars and an antique tractor followed the parade marshals, police and fire trucks through town. This year’s parade marshals, Wayne and Pat Bullard, waved to the crowd as they passed by, and the crowd waved back!

Winners in the various categories were: Antique Tractors – Charles Speir; Cars & Trucks – 1st Kacey Workman, 2nd Kelly Hurt, 3rd Josh Bennight; UTV/ATV – 1st Kayla Perry, 2nd Trevor Griffith, 3rd Cody Wainscott; Kids – 1st Lewis kids, 2nd Graycee Bryan, 3rd Colt Cross; Golf Carts – 1st Steve Hall, 2nd Pam Price, 3rd Terra Wainscott.

The action moved to the city park for the free hot dog meal, topped off with free sno-cones. And then the games began. Turtle races and hula hoop contests, egg carrys and sack races followed the naming of Little Mister & Miss Independence Day. Earning the 2024 title were Owen Cudd and Elizabeth Bohan. And congratulations to Adam Green for winning the adult Mr. Independence Day contest.

The music began at 7:30 and once again the RCB Band did a great job of entertaining those gathered. At 9:00 the crowd moved to the softball fields south of town for the fireworks show. A traditional end to a traditional celebration.