Munday 4th Celebration welcomes a new contest, keeps traditions alive

  • MISS FIRECRACKER The first contestants in the Munday Little Miss Firecracker contest prepared to compete for one of the three designations. | MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 6
    MISS FIRECRACKER The first contestants in the Munday Little Miss Firecracker contest prepared to compete for one of the three designations. | MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 6
  • FIREWORKS SHOW put on by the City of Munday gave young and old a reason to look up and be thankful for our freedom.
    FIREWORKS SHOW put on by the City of Munday gave young and old a reason to look up and be thankful for our freedom.
  • BEAUTIFUL BURSTS of fire lit up the sky as Munday celebrated our nation’s founding.
    BEAUTIFUL BURSTS of fire lit up the sky as Munday celebrated our nation’s founding.
  • Munday 4th Celebration welcomes a new contest, keeps traditions alive
    Munday 4th Celebration welcomes a new contest, keeps traditions alive
  • WINNING WALKERS Jay and Brylie Gage shared the spoils of victory won during the cake walk—it’s almost a crime to eat a cake decorated so well!
    WINNING WALKERS Jay and Brylie Gage shared the spoils of victory won during the cake walk—it’s almost a crime to eat a cake decorated so well!
  • CAKE DANCING Not everyone is into cake walking—Cailyn Milstead chose to dance around as she hoped to land on a winning number. Milstead was visiting friends for the 4th.
    CAKE DANCING Not everyone is into cake walking—Cailyn Milstead chose to dance around as she hoped to land on a winning number. Milstead was visiting friends for the 4th.
  • MAYOR KAREN LONGAN, who was instrumental in putting together Munday’s Fourth of July celebration, enjoys a moment with daughter Kandace.
    MAYOR KAREN LONGAN, who was instrumental in putting together Munday’s Fourth of July celebration, enjoys a moment with daughter Kandace.
  • SPITTERS AND PITTERS Contestants in the watermelon seedspitting prepared to try out a forgotten art. Gatherings of kids and watermelons always ended up with a seed spitting contest.
    SPITTERS AND PITTERS Contestants in the watermelon seedspitting prepared to try out a forgotten art. Gatherings of kids and watermelons always ended up with a seed spitting contest.
  • POPCULTURE Randy’s balloon skills are always a hit. Kids left with traditional animals, swords with scabbards, mouse ears, and other creations by this skilled artist.
    POPCULTURE Randy’s balloon skills are always a hit. Kids left with traditional animals, swords with scabbards, mouse ears, and other creations by this skilled artist.
  • BINGO! With Mark Reed calling numbers, assisted by Liz Herring and Jazmin Patchett, contestants played to win a variety of items.
    BINGO! With Mark Reed calling numbers, assisted by Liz Herring and Jazmin Patchett, contestants played to win a variety of items.
  • FIRSTFIRECRACKER AvaSmith tookthehonorofbeingthefirst Munday Little Miss Firecracker contest winner. Ava is a student at Munday Elementary School.
    FIRSTFIRECRACKER AvaSmith tookthehonorofbeingthefirst Munday Little Miss Firecracker contest winner. Ava is a student at Munday Elementary School.
  • SUPERB SPARKLER Everley Stephenson was named Miss Sparkle, first runnerup designation on Saturday, July 4, in Munday’s Little Miss Firecracker Contest. Everly is a student at Lindsay Elementary School.
    SUPERB SPARKLER Everley Stephenson was named Miss Sparkle, first runnerup designation on Saturday, July 4, in Munday’s Little Miss Firecracker Contest. Everly is a student at Lindsay Elementary School.
  • SLOAN STEWART, a student at Munday Elementary, posed with her winnings as Miss Starburst in the Little Miss Firecracker contest as part of the Munday 4th of July celebrations.
    SLOAN STEWART, a student at Munday Elementary, posed with her winnings as Miss Starburst in the Little Miss Firecracker contest as part of the Munday 4th of July celebrations.
  • IT’S ALL IN THE TECHNIQUE 83-year old Larry Parton shows off the correct form for getting just the right pressure to get the distance. Parton came up short to a younger contestant, but not by much.
    IT’S ALL IN THE TECHNIQUE 83-year old Larry Parton shows off the correct form for getting just the right pressure to get the distance. Parton came up short to a younger contestant, but not by much.

    The Fourth of July for America’s 250th brought some new ways to celebrate in Munday—with some old-fashioned traditions.

    Munday’s first Little Miss Firecracker contest welcomed an outstanding group of contestants who will forever be known as the first to compete. Three awardees were chosen to represent the Munday July 4th celebration: Ava Smith reigns as Little Miss Firecracker; Everley Stephenson w…