Fourth a blast in Cherokee County
By Dwight Otwell Editor

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel photo Standing before a WWII paraphernalia display at Konehete Park on July 4 are, Brian Van Buskirk, left, and Jack Rhodes, both veterans. Ban Buskirk is wearing a U.S. Spanish American War uniform.

Frisbees whizzed through the air, kids pulled fish from the river and the smell of hotdogs and hamburgers sizzling on the grill wafted through Konehete Park.

Every kind of activity that is associated with an Independence Day celebration took place on July 4 at the park in Murphy. The Town of Andrews also celebrated the Fourth of July with vigor, including a wagon train parade and a spectacular fireworks display.

Beginning with a 5K run at Konehete Park at 8 a.m. though the fireworks culminating the day, there was something for everyone. A men's softball tournament was held followed by a Dog show and parade. Spectator Jo Anne Brown, from Marble, said she entered her dog in the event because "she likes to have fun and be with other dogs. She's our social butterfly."

Other events included a fishing tournament, a float

DENNIS HORNE/Sentinel photo L.B. Solesbee and Jami Dyer celebrate the Fourth of July in Andrews.

parade and a Peanut Drop. Kids and adults scurried after the peanuts after an airplane dropped the peanuts in flyovers of the park. Some peanuts were good for prizes.

Men, women, kids and adults scampered after a greased pig in the Greased Pig Contest. The slippery swine was hard to catch but capture was finally achieved.

Music and dancing entertained the crowd throughout the afternoon and evening. Classic cars set up in the parking lot behind the Valley River Pool & Wellness Center.

The "Hometown Celebrations" was a party for the country's 231st birthday.

The event was organized by the Business Women of Murphy, the Cherokee County Recreation Department and the Town of Murphy.

Marie Speigel, president of the Business Women of Murphy, said, "I was proud of what everyone did to pull that together. The turnout was great. There was something for everyone. We had five food lcations.The fireworks were beautiful. The girls are always working hard to bring recognition to the little town of Murphy. Next year will be even bigger and better."