Summer Local Living 2024

14 —Summer Local Living May 2024 TRACY HARRIS Contributor T his year marks the 68 th year of the Miss Marshall County Pageant. Jessica King Gil- liam participated in the pageant as a teenager. In Lewisburg, Indepen- dence Day and the Miss Marshall pageant go hand-in-hand. The pageant has several age brackets: ages 16-24 for Miss Contestants, ages 4 - 6 for Little Miss Contes- tants, and ages 4- 6 for Little Mis- ter Contestants. Gilliam became Director of the Marshall County Chamber of Com- merce in August 2023. Since then, she has launched the Chamber of Commerce into a new era, literally. The building has undergone major indoor renovations, they have an all-new logo, and a new website will launch soon. Independence Day used to be an all-day event held in the heart of Marshall County at the Lewisburg Recreation Center. There were dif- ferent events over the years. Some of them were held for many years, others were a one-time thing; but, a few have been since the start – the pageant, Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award, and the 4 th of July Parade. Gilliam remembers when she was younger, it was a day when “everybody was at the rec center. There were hot dogs and ham- burgers going all day. There were events happening all day… wiffle- ball, horseshoe tournaments, sand volleyball, and hay bale mazes. It all ended with the Miss Marshall County pageant and the entertain- ment that happened during the pageant. And then it capped with the fireworks at the end.” There have not been all-day festivities unless you traveled outside of Lewisburg since the early 2000’s. The early morning parade has remained every year. There was usually a 5K put on by the MCHS Cross Country Team. Later in the evening, the pag- eant took place around the out- door pool at the rec center. The Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award has been given out during the pageant. Sometimes, there were fireworks after the pageant. Sometimes not. All the events, games, foods, activities, and fun fell by the wayside. No one picked up the baton to carry on with the traditions…. until now. “When the Board asked me last year to take over the pageant, it was to get it back to the tradi- tion of what it used to be with the girls ages 16-24. And now with the event itself, it’s bringing that tradition back of what the July 4 th event used to be,” Gilliam said. This year, there are going to be so many things to do, that ev- eryone in the community will be able to find something that they can enjoy. There are still things being added to the day’s activi- ties at the time of this publishing. Things will kick off bright and early at the Rec Center at 7 a.m. with the Tiger Dash 5K. To sign up go to runsignup.com . All proceeds benefit the MCHS Cross Country Team. A pickleball tournament is the first tournament of the day at 8 a.m. Registration is still open and is $25. There are competitive and rec- reational brackets for all skill levels. The Lewisburg Rotary Club is returning for the Fourth Annual Rotary 4th of July Golf Tourna- ment at the rec center’s Ewell But- ler Golf Course, a beautiful par 36, 9 hole course. The parade route is changing this year to align with keeping the festivities centered on the rec center. It starts at 9 a.m. at The Acres Shopping Plaza - 150 The Acres (Goodwill, TSC, and Sub- way) and ends at the Lewisburg Recreation Center 1551 Moores- ville Hwy. The Leslie Woodward Memo- rial Tennis Tournament starts at 10 a.m. The t ou r namen t pays tribute to Leslie Woodward’s en- during legacy in the community. For the first year ever, a Bat- tle of the Bands will happen at 1 p.m. The winner of the battle gets a slot to play at Goats, Music, and More in October 2024 at Rock Creek Park. Another new part of the festivi- ties will be bingo hosted by Court- ney McMahon. Gilliam is excited about the host and said, “She’s full of energy.” There will be a Kid Zone with vendors who will have different carnival games and activities for the kids to play. There will also be bounce houses. Gilliam said, “So far, we’ve got 15 vendors signed up for crafts and food, and more are still signing up. The Fire Department’s going to come in and do water games. There will be stuff happening all day long. I’m really excited about it. It’s going to be a massive commu- nity event.” For more information about the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce or the Salute toAmerica Independence Day event this year, please go to their Facebook page under Marshall County TN Cham- ber of Commerce. Their website is marshallchamber.org or email di- rector.mc@marshallchamber.org or call (931) 359-3863 for more details on the event. Bringing Tradition Back to Marshall County INDEPENDENCE DAY 2024: SALUTE TO AMERICA