Area communities celebrate independence
Agrowing Independence Day tradition in Ashdown, Ark., is focused on children, community and free fun.
For the second consecutive year, the Food, Fun and More on July Four event brought family-friendly activities to Ashdown City Park, giving local children plenty to do as they waited for sunset and a city-sponsored fireworks show.
Four inflatable bounce houses were among the highlights, and it was all provided free of charge by Ashdown Matters Inc., a nonprofit devoted to the community’s youth.
Despite hot, humid weather, dozens of local children enjoyed the festive atmosphere Tuesday, lining up to throw a pitch at the dunking
booth, get fresh popcorn and claim goody bags filled with treats.
Families staked claims in the park’s shady spots, making sure they would have good views of the fireworks to be launched from an adjacent baseball diamond. Parents pushed their children’s swings at the park’s playground. A group of third-, fourthand fifth-graders warmed up for a seven-on-seven football game organized by Southwest Arkansas Elite Sports and Recreation.
“We just wanted to give kids some fun and free stuff to do,” said Eric Cross, director of Ashdown Matters.
The event is a family affair. Cross’ 10-month-old daughter, Nylah, sat patiently in his lap at the face painting booth to get some glittery designs on her cheeks. His wife, Keara, sold T-shirts and handed out cold bottles of water. And his father, the Rev. Jim Cross, funded it all in April by walking 30 miles to raise charity money.
“I love it. It’s very awesome,” said Alexandreia Nelson, who took shelter from the sun under the park’s pavilion with a group of family and friends. She was attending the event for the first time and said the group would probably leave and then come back to see the fireworks.
Alisha Mixon found the festivities a nice welcome to town. She moved to Ashdown from St. Paul, Minn., six months ago to be closer to her husband’s family.
“This is so nice with all the different activities,” she said. “It’s beautiful.”
For more information about Ashdown Matters, visit ashdownmattersinc.org or the group’s Facebook page, facebook.com/ashdownmattersinc/.
On Twitter: @RealKarlRichter