KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Cars passed parade-goers in a slow procession Friday morning as residents came out for 2022’s Our Country Day.

The annual event also featured a 5K Freedom Run, a volleyball tournament, a poker run, a Baby Crawl and a watermelon-eating contest. Residents also held a Street Dance on June 25.

The event began more than 60 years ago when Mayor Ray Starnes gathered residents to honor the national holiday. The underlying theme of “One Nation” has continued throughout the years.

On Friday, several residents went to visit a variety of vendors, spoke to old friends and let their children play at the park. Then they were treated to a fireworks show at Keystone Beach around 9 p.m.

Ashley Bennett took her son out to Friday’s event. Bennett said she’s been coming to Our Country Day for about 15 years. She said that people can use the holiday to remember veterans who died or were injured and celebrate the country’s independence.

She said other countries are not as fortunate as the United States and she said it’s important to remind younger family members.

“I love it. I love that Keystone Heights is definitely supportive of our country,” she said. “That means a lot. Not many cities and counties do that.”

Our Country Day had an interesting occurrence. Butch Flakes reconnected with Todd Brannon after decades. The pair were clad in red, white and blue, and they discussed the past few years.

Flakes, a retired Marine, said he wanted to see more participation at the event. He praised the fact that like-minded people can enjoy a small-town atmosphere.

“Keystone is patriotic – off the charts,” Flakes said. “As far as being patriotic, Keystone has always been there.”

Brannon is a retired Air Force servicemember. He said part of the spirit of July 4 is the ideals that keep us free.

“This is our freedom, this is what we’re living for,” Brannon said. “This is where we get life from.”

Richard and Debra Pasnick came to Our Country Day with friends. They called the celebration an opportunity for the community to come together.

“I think celebrating an event like our independence is something that should keep going. It reminds us why our country is the way it is, free,” Richard Pasnick said.

“That’s my concept of the 4th of July. Labor Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day, those are for the people who built this country.”

Debra Pasnick wanted people to recognize those who have been stationed abroad during the holiday.

“It is something that you truly miss,” she said.

Shauna Edwards said she liked the event, but more people have to volunteer to help for it to get bigger. Edwards comes to the event every year, she said.

“They put a lot into it,” Edwards said. “I think if people are patient with it, it can get better.”