GENTRY — People — thousands of them — gathered in Gentry City Park on July 4th to celebrate America's birthday. And, other than some light rain showers late in the afternoon, Gentry's annual Freedom Festival was deemed a great success, with those in attendance enjoying the all-day musical entertainment, the children's games and activities, the pageants and, of course, the huge fireworks display at dusk.
Cars lined the circle walk for the annual car show in spite of the threat of rain showers. Results will be published as soon as they become available.
The annual pageants were held, including the Miss Gentry pageant which had not been held for years due to lack of contestants. Pageant results include the following:
• Little Miss Gentry — Winner, Grace Hughes; first runner up, Alayna Ahrents; and second runner up, Juliet Smartt.
• Little Mister Gentry — Winner, Asa Chamberlain, first runner up, Max Smart; Second runner up, Tatum Manen.
• Miss Gentry — Winner, Destiny Bolles; first runner up, Whitney Holt; and second runner up, Brookley Trammell.
Afternoon and evening music was provided by Kaitlin Carlson, Barrett Baber, Southern Traditions Bluegrass Band, River's Edge Band and the Trumann Rail Boys.
Following the evening entertainment and just before the fireworks display, the Star Spangled Banner was sung over the the public address system for all to hear. But, midway through the National Anthem, the PA system failed. That failure didn't stop the celebration. The crowds took over and sang the Anthem until the words, "O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" sounded in unison across the city park. Then all cheered and the fireworks display began.
For more photos, click HERE.
General News on 07/12/2017