Moapa Valley Finishes Independence Day With Style

By LAURA ROBISON

The Progress

The evening festivities of the Moapa Valley Independence Day celebration began at 5:45 pm with a flag retreat ceremony performed by the veterans of the VFW Post 8336 at the central flagpole at the Clark County Fairgrounds.

Attendees then lined up at the nearby Fine Arts Building to enjoy a free dinner served up by members of the MV Chamber of Commerce. Over 600 people enjoyed hamburgers, chips, coleslaw and ice cream bars. The longest line was for shave ice, as eager families waited to get their cold flavorful treat, provided and served by Logandale couple Scott and Linda Carson and their crew.

During dinner, the VFW Auxiliary held it’s raffle drawing. The winner was Russ Cameron, who got to take home a very patriotic gift basket.

After dinner, attendees were entertained by the Moapa Valley Tumbling Team coached by Cindy Olafson. The Parks and Recreation Tap Dancers, coached by De Woodrow, also added their moves to the lineup. Rick Houston and Alicia Bush hosted some music and dance contests and awarded prizes in different age groups.

Local residents were then presented with awards for their contributions to the community. These awards were presented by Independence Day committee member, Laura Robison.

The 2022 Community Service award was presented to The Progress owner/editor Vernon Robison for his many years of publishing the community newspaper and his service to the community through the Moapa Valley Rotary and Moapa Valley Chamber.

Robison moved back to Moapa Valley almost 18 years ago. He has had a love for this community since he was a small child and was eager to share that with his family. He created the ‘Shop Local’ campaign to remind residents that a lot of what they shop for can be purchased here. He also serves his community by promoting local businesses in grand openings and other special events throughout the year.

Robison can be seen volunteering to do many things including helping people move, cooking breakfast and dinners served at the 4th of July celebration and flipping burgers at the home football games.

The 2022 Community Spirit award was given to Ray ‘Sugar’ and Judy Metz for their 30 years of love and pride for Moapa Valley. Their joy is always apparent, from all the special activities they hosted at Sugar’s Restaurant, to their love of life, even providing Judy’s recipe for the homemade coleslaw served at the dinner this year on The Fourth of July.

Judy and Sugar were the heart and soul behind Sugar’s where the food was home-style and the atmosphere was welcoming and friendly.

Every holiday they could be seen making people smile with their spirited outfits and special activities. At Christmas time Santa would appear and youngsters could have breakfast and take photos with him. At the 9/11 walk, Judy would hand out water for the first responders and other walkers, with flags for the kids.

“Speaking with the Metzes is like a warm hug from an old friend, even if it is the first time meeting them,” Laura Robison said in the presentation. “Ray and Judy’s hearts are as big as their spirit and love for this community.”

After the awards presentation, Kasen Kolhoss showed photos from past Independence days, as the song My Town played.

Right before the big show, the lights were turned off and the talented Summer Blake sang her heart out with a stirring and emotional “Star-Spangled Banner.” The crowd cheered as the first fireworks were set off during the National Anthem performance.

The crowd was then treated to a great fireworks show, all set to music, and set off by volunteers from the Moapa Valley Fire District. As the final song played: Lee Greenwood’s God Bless The USA; the grand finale of fireworks lit up the night sky Moapa Valley style.