By CHERYL JENSEN
The Progress
The 4th of July Celebration in Bunkerville was a fun-filled and neighborly patriotic event with a special home-town spirit.
The festivities began on Tuesday morning, July 4, with a 5K run through the streets of Bunkerville.
The first-place winner of the 5K was Owen Rappleye with a time of 18:25. Winners in other divisions included: ages10 and under: Grant Bunker and Sienna Crandall; 11-15 Kye Griffiths and Kyra Jensen; 16-25 Owen Rappleye and Jenna Walters; 26-39 Jaron Hughes and Addie Condie; 40-49 Nana Vautier and Mindy Hughes and 50+ Don Rappleye and Rosa Zarate.
A community breakfast was prepared of breakfast burritos, salsa as well as pancakes and hash brown potatos. There was plenty of space for people to sit and enjoy breakfast in the newly expanded Thomas Dudley Leavitt Park.
Young men formed a color guard and unfolded the enormous new American Flag purchased with funds raised at last year’s raffle. The crowd stood in awe as the new 12’ x 8’ flag was proudly raised to the top of the pole and everyone joined in the pledge of allegiance.
Arianna Gardner sang an inspiring solo of the National Anthem. The cannon boomed reminding the crowd of the American colonists’ long 7-year struggle for independence from Great Britain.
Bunkerville resident Mark McEwen told the story of Captain Nathan Hale who, at the age of 21, volunteered to go behind enemy lines in 1775 to help gather information on the British army.
“He was among the brave patriots who gave go much in the cause of Independence,” McEwen said of Hale.
Carter and Everly Horlacher, who are cousins, then sang “America the Beautiful.”
Mary Ann Leavitt told the story of Irving Berlin’s anthem “God Bless America”; a prayer that he always referred to as “Ballad of Home.” Berlin and his family fled Russia when he was five years old to come to the U.S. and make a new home. Berlin never received any monetary payment but was awarded a presidential medal of freedom for his hymn.
The children of Bunkerville with their patriotic blue T-shirts, and waving their small American flags, then sang this popular song for the audience.
Laren C. Abbott told the story of Nevada becoming the 36th state in 1864. “The state motto is Battle Born,” he said. “The silver star represents the mining resources and it is on a field of blue that represent loyalty to the Union. Home for my family does mean Bunkerville and Nevada.”
The children sang the state song “Home Means Nevada” with the audience joining in with enthusiasm to be a part of a small-town family.
Foot races were then held on the green according to age groups.
An egg toss contest followed. It was messy and crazy fun.
Watermelon was the treat that came next.
A raffle was held and the names of prize winners were drawn.
The children were excited to decorate their bikes and scooters and try out the new trail around the park for a bike parade in the evening.
Following this everyone spread their blankets on the grass to celebrate with fireworks display put on by the Bunkerville Volunteer Fire Department.
Many thanks to Shaye Whipple and her committee: Sadie Banks, Tishelle Tew, Jaylee Dodenbier, Brian Bingham, Ben and Sarah Leavitt – races, Marianne Leavitt for the 5K and contest. Thank you to all the others on the committee for hats, t-shirts, and Bunkerville First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for cooking breakfast. Thank you to the many sponsors and businesses that donated to make the event a great celebration.
