Murphy – Konehete Veterans Park did not disappoint Friday during the July 4th Hometown Celebration, as there was plenty to see and do for everyone.
The day’s festivities started with a kids’ fishing derby, horseshoe tournament and registration for the Bucket Brigade Relay Race, which raised $1,265.91 for clean drinking water in Kenya and Haiti. Wells for Nora (Starks), who passed away with a dream of bringing clean water to those without it, is a Rotary Club of Murphy fundraiser for those wells.
The Rotary Club of Murphy’s Bucket Brigade relay event had firefighters from Grape Creek, Murphy and Peachtree Fire Departments signing up. Grape Creek was down a member or two but utilized personnel from other departments as well as a volunteer to make up the difference. One team wore cleats, which offered more traction on the wet and, at times, slippery ground.
Gio Castiglione of Prontees donned a large blow-up eagle costume and ran in the relay race for the Grape Creek team, adding to the entertainment factor. The winner of this year’s Bucket Brigade relay was the Murphy Fire Department, which also won the race last year.
There were also egg toss and water balloon events, as well as sack races, going on in the fields.
The day offered craft vendors for those who like to shop for unique items, as well as food and snack vendors. There were also inflatable games and plenty of activities for kids.
The weather was sunny and hot, but that didn’t stop anyone from making their way to the ball field for the anticipated Peanut Drop. Thousands of peanuts were let go from above, as young and young at heart scurried about the field looking for the few colored ones that earned a monetary prize.
Folks appeared cheerful and happy to be out celebrating the holiday without rain, while anticipating the evening’s fireworks display.
The event was hosted by the Cherokee County Recreation Department. The fireworks show was sponsored by the Town of Murphy.
Details: Visit townofmurphync.com.
Murphy July 4 winners
Kids Fishing Derby
BIGGEST FISH
Khia Obermeyer
SMALLEST FISH
Harper Ziemann
MOST FISH
Hudson Garcia
HORSESHOES SINGLES
1st – Dave Miller
2nd – Tommy Moss
3rd – Neal Moss
HORSESHOES DOUBLES
1st – Jack Jackson & Dave Miller
2nd – Tommy & Neal Moss 3rd – Bill & Dustin Phillips