4th of July in Staunton ... Thursday Vesper Service

Pastor Temple Myers of Memorial Baptist Church in Staunton, holding the American flag, leads the Pledge of Allegiance during Thursday's Vesper Service.

Memorial Baptist Church choir, including SWACers Alex Davis and Vonda Lacey, sang patriotic numbers including "This Is My America" which was a medley of patriotic sayings and songs ... and "Pray For America." Led by Kathy Lafone, it was inspirational.

It was a "full house" in Gypsy Hill Park at the Gazebo ... the largest crowd I have seen ever for Vesper Service during the 4th of July week. People were seated all the way out to the drive that winds around the Gazebo area. On a beautiful summer evening, it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces.

My family is in town for the 4th of July celebration in Staunton, as they are each year, so we attended Thursday evening's Vesper Service followed by a gospel concert ... all inspirational and entertaining. With the many vendors from local churches and civic groups offering everything from BBQ to chicken dinners to funnel cakes to pizza, we all chose something different and sat at the picnic table eating our dinner.

Favorites:

Kettle Korn, always. SWAC Husband loves the stuff.

Funnel cakes at $2.25 from Christ United Church Methodist Men, always a favorite and a bargain at that. This year the Methodist Men added "Oreo fritters," a battered and deep-friend Oreo cookie. At $2.25 for six, they were selling fast. SWAC Niece got some but I was content with my BBQ sandwich.

BBQ from Botali's, a Fishersville vendor who caters events with his Carolina-style BBQ. It was good!

The Staunton Braves were playing at 7:30 against the Covington Lumberjacks at Moxie Stadium directly behind Gypsy Hill Park so around 8:30 SWAC Daughter, SWAC Niece, John Maxfield, and my brother-in-law left to watch the game.

Good evening, good start to the 4th of July celebration. Tomorrow will be busy.

Photos by SWAC Girl