The City of Walker hosted its own free-to-the-public 4th of July event celebrating America's 250th anniversary.
People began arriving at the park at 2 p.m. to enjoy the myriad independent food stalls set up along the back of the park's central field. Among them, the stalls selling fresh lemonade, Italian shaved ice, snowballs, and milkshakes were the most popular.
Inflatable slides, carnival games, a dunk tank, and two mechanical bull stations lined one half of the park field. A small train operated by event staff drove around the field to the different stations and stalls, offering small children and parents a ride around the event. The other half of the field was dotted with small business stalls, each set up with American-themed items and toys.
The Pretty Willow shop sold hand-painted hats and bags with fruit-themed American flags, along with kids' activity paint boards. Agape Baptist Church set up a free prayer and craft stall, offering people a chance to rest while receiving spiritual blessings. JKI Homestead & Co. sold bags of homemade goat milk soap shaped like stars, each with the American flag embossed, and Hoops and Loops by Melissa had patriotic-themed jewelry available.
A separate stall offered an interactive slime-making experience for the children in attendance, and plenty of space remained in the field for games of tag and horseshoe toss.
At 5 p.m., the band I-10 Bound began playing live music for the crowd, and at 7, the watermelon and hotdog eating contests began. At 9:10 p.m., the fireworks show began, bringing the celebratory event to a close.
