Alamo Holds 18th Annual Independence Day Celebration

The Alamo city government and the Alamo Fire Department held the 18th Annual Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, June 28, at the Wheeler County War Memorial in Alamo.

According to City Manager Jeffery Floyd, the Alamo city government provided the physical space for the event, along with bleachers, tables and trash cans, as well as $4,000 for fireworks from TNT Fireworks. The Alamo Fire Department organized the event, attracting vendors, entertainment and donors, as well as moderating the event.

“Other than what the city has provided, the fire department does everything else,” Floyd said.

The event featured several vendors for food, ice cream and shaved ice; apparel such as hats and shirts; and children’s toys. Rides were provided by Jump About, Inc., including a rock climbing wall, a swing ride, a carousel, a mechanical bull ride, a police themed bounce house and a small tractor-pulled train for children.

Members of the Bethel Baptist Church from Glenwood handed out free water to attendees to combat the heat. Curtis Hay and Whitney Clark Griffin also set up booths advertising their respective campaigns for the tax commissioner election. 

Music was played throughout the event, with pre-recorded songs playing until 6:00 p.m. when live music performances began from local musicians Jay Ashley and Kayden Whip. Ashley and Whip were followed by the band Rolling Thunder, who performed until the fireworks show.

Announcements were made by radio personality Lea Fountain, who has served as announcer for the event for several years.

Event organizers recognized the Wheeler County softball girls team during the event, celebrating the team’s ranking of second in the state and first in the district.

Organizers also held a 50/50 raffle, where the winner would win half of the raffles’ earnings. Nathan Burkhalter won the raffle, winning $489 from the raffles’ total earnings of $978.

Following the raffle winner announcement, the event ended with a commemoration of United States veterans and a large firework show. 

“From what I’ve seen and what I hear from other people, I think it’s one of the biggest fireworks events in a pretty good surrounding area, especially for a small town such as Alamo,” said Floyd.