Red, white and boom: Howell County rings in America 250

The West Plains Honor Guard leads an old-fashioned parade through the neighborhood surrounding the Missouri State University-West Plains campus Saturday morning. The procession traveled along Franklin, Cass and Pennsylvania avenues, then Webster Street, before returning to Franklin Avenue to wrap up the route.

Participants in West Plains' America 250 parade exhibit the spirit of a traditional Fourth of July celebration, decked out in patriotic apparel. The non-motorized procession featured families and children walking, riding bicycles, and being pulled in wagons and strollers.

West Plains City Councilman Crockett Oaks III, foreground, and Mayor Mike Topliff, next to Oaks, are joined by family members as they sing the national anthem to open Saturday’s America 250 festivities.  From left are Topliff’s grandsons Stephen and Richard Legler, their father Matt Legler, Topliff’s granddaughter Mae Ann Legler, Topliff’s daughter Heather Legler, and Oaks’ wife Tonya.

Sisters Lydia Barton of Mtn, View, left, and Brenley Raider of Republic compete in a watermelon eating contest sponsored by Ozark Mountain Leasing and Ozark Mountain TourTrucks. The 8-year-olds ran a close race in the first round of the age 5 to 8 division. In the end, Brenley prevailed to win first place, while Lydia took second.

Veterans of American Legion Post 384 in Willow Springs wave to the crowd as the grand marshals atop a star-spangled float during the city's longstanding July 4 parade. Following the parade, a program at the Star Theatre featured a salute to veterans and a celebration of America's semiquincentennial.

Freedom Patch Fireworks recently gave away $1,000 worth of fireworks as a fundraiser for West Plains Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1828, netting $1,528 for the organization. Post Commander Danny Brown said the funds will assist veterans with short-term services, such as food assistance and emergency housing, not met by other organizations. Chad Harper of West Plains was unavailable for a photo, so George Washington — a "stand up" guy if there ever was one — filled in. From left are Freedom Patch co-owners Gerald Roberts and Andrew Cobb, alongside Brown. Amanda Roberts and Layken Cobb are also co-owners of the business.

An aerial drone shot taken just before sundown at 8:15 p.m. Friday shows the massive scale of attendance at the Heart of the Ozarks Fairgrounds off U.S. 63. Hundreds turned out for the popular return of Skyfire, sponsored by Give Local First. Food trucks offered barbecue, burgers, tacos, hot dogs, sweets and drinks during the celebration. Give Local First is the charitable arm of Ozark Marketing Company, the parent company of Ozark Radio News.

The Ozark AcousChicks lead a patriotic singalong during West Plains' America 250 celebration, held Saturday on the Missouri State University-West Plains campus.