The weather is nicer this year than last," said Captain Lawrence Nyers of the Vienna Fire and Rescue department, as he looked over the crowd bustling around the grounds surrounding the Vienna Community Center. "Last year was a scorcher."
The weather, sunny and only moderately humid, cooperated as hundreds of Vienna and out-of-town visitors turned out to enjoy Vienna’s annual 4th of July celebration. The Vienna Police Department Honor Guard presented the Colors as the National Anthem played.
Families spread out chairs and blankets under the shade trees around the gazebo, listening to the Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band and sampling vendors’ food and their own homemade picnics.
There was a bit of everything for everybody at the 4th of July festival: dozens of crafts booths inside the community center and on the field, children’s amusement rides, family games, antique autos, food vendors and live entertainment — and patriotism.
"Chance," a fluffy service dog with a patriotic bandanna, accompanied Nancy Sanders to the festival. A Belgian sheepdog, Chance was trained by Sanders herself.
"I like to come here to see everything," said Sanders. "Chance is a big help to me."
Eating Fritos pie under a shade tree, the Baker family laughed and chatted. Mom Rachel Russell noted that they love the celebration, coming every year to listen to the music and eat those Fritos pies.
"This is a good town to live in," said dad Eric Baker.
"July 4th is the # 1 American holiday, " said Russell.
Their young son, Teddy, had his own slant on the event.
"I come here with them," said Teddy, "so I have to come. But it’s fun."
Some 20-somethings experimented with industrial-sized hula hoops, with Ruth Parkinson drawing whoops from a crowd. "My sister’s gonna be in the newspaper," said Parkinson’s brother, cheering her on.
Mike and Betty Ladd have been coming to the Vienna 4th of July celebration for 30 years. Their children are grown but it’s still a tradition. Mike Ladd has a routine: catch the morning baseball game, walk around, meet people, look at the antique autos and leave when it gets too hot.
"But we come back again at 7 p.m., " said Ladd. "We get here before the fireworks begin so we can talk to friends."
"Vienna is such a great community to live in," said Betty Ladd. "The 4th of July is special; it’s a good time just to remember the freedoms we have."
BY MID-AFTERNOON, the crowds had gotten bigger, the sun stronger, and the air more humid. Vienna Parks crews began laying down protective flame-retardant blankets over the synthetic turf of Waters Field in preparation for the day’s finale, the fireworks. Tots napped in shady spots and a roving clown roved.
It was becoming harder to find empty places on the banners – dedicated To Our Troops - to write, but, still, people wanted to express their support for U.S. servicemen and women. Vienna resident, Joan Stoll, took the marker to the banner.
"I just wrote, ‘God bless you and come home soon,’" said Stoll.