A Star Stars and Stripes Celebration in Floyd
-The following was first published at Floyd Times on July 7, 2026. Floyd’s Independence Day Celebration was held at Floyd County High School on July 3, beginning at 6 pm.
Hosted by the Floyd Parks and Recreation Department, the event included live music, food trucks, vendors, bounce houses, facepainting, games, a mechanical bull for riding, and an outstanding fireworks display. 
Because it was one of the hottest days of this year, the Parks and Recreation team ran a cooling station with misting fans. The air-conditioned lobby of the high school was also available for those who needed it, and a lemonade stand continued to draw one of the longest lines throughout the evening. 
“This is by far the hottest year we’ve hosted,” said Parks and Recreation’s assistant director Christian Whitt.
The celebration began with a reading of the Declaration of Independence by members of the Floyd Republican and the Democratic parties. “We came together on stage to read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety,” said Chair of the Democratic Party Karen Baker. “A group of both Democrats and Republicans read one after the other all of the Declaration, including the signers’ names to mark the occasion.”
Parks and Recreation director Jacob Agee welcomed the crowd, gave some logistics and introduced Tara Hollandsworth, who sang the Star Spangled Banner as the flags were presented by veterans from the American Legion of Floyd County.
Live music was provided by the Blankenships and the Deer Run Drifters.
American flags decorated the entire high school parking lot, and most attendees dressed in their best red, white and blue.
The collective spirit of neighbors and families was friendly and enthusiastic.
Fireworks brought many oohs and ahhs from the crowd.
Many fireworks were set off, one on top of another, for a memorable finale.