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As is well known, America celebrates Independence Day on July 4.

To many residents of Winchester through the years, July 3rd has been the date for a different type of celebration.

This year would be no other.

On Monday, July 3, the Lights Over Lykins the Fourth of July celebration took place at Lykins Park on Mt. Sterling Road with a large crowd in attendance.

“We’ve had a great turnout, and everybody seems to be behaving and playing well together,” said Jeff Lewis, the director of Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation.

The event – free and open to the public – started in development a few months beforehand when a committee including Lewis and chaired by Kim Miller, owner of Hammerhead Signs, began coming together to plan the event.

With the event having taken place previously, many sights returned.

Ride-on mechanical animals, bounce houses, airbrush tattoos, face painting, and balloon animals were present.

Many kids, and even a few adults, participated in the Family Foam Fest.

Laine Comley, Owner of Memory Laine Kids Parties in Lexington, brought a machine that blew non-toxic foam and bubbles into the air, thus allowing kids to run around and enjoy themselves.

“It’s really good, clean fun,” Comley said. “[Their] reaction is amazing. I’m so happy we’re seeing so many smiling faces, and we’re keeping the moms and dads happy too.”

Comley’s father, Mark, is a well-known magician who recently performed at the Clark County Fair.

Jordan Vaughan, who helps work alongside Comley, dressed up in a fitted dinosaur costume and walked around during the event.

Even with the costume on display only, many kids came up to ask questions.

“There’s bicycle handles that control [the] whole head,” Vaughan said. “One side opens and closes the mouth, and the other side blinks the eyes, which I thought was really cool.”

Young ones also had an opportunity to check out fire trucks supplied by the Clark County Fire Department, who served dual purposes for the event.

“We’re providing the fire service for the fireworks and showing off the trucks and just showing the public what we’re about and how we operate,” said firefighter Luke Daniels. “[Kids] absolutely love it. They think it’s the most amazing thing in the world.”

Food vendors were available in abundance.

Along with common attendees such as Bell on Wheels and Mama D’s Eats & Treats, BS BBQ offered brisket, pulled pork mac and cheese, various smoked foods and more.

“Everything’s made from scratch. Even our [sauces] are made from scratch,” said David Stambaugh, co-owner of the business along with Brian Crump. “It’s a part-time gig for us right now, with the hopes of being full-time.”

Other businesses appeared, including Here’s 2 Life Customs from Nancy, Kentucky.

A family-owned business operated by Derek and Rachel McClanahan and their six children, Here’s 2 Life Customs makes 3-D printed figures with various designs.

“We love sharing our art and coming and seeing it bring joy to other people,” Rachel McClanahan said. “We license out through a couple different artists. We have seven different printers, and we’re always adding.”

After the gates opened at 5:30 p.m., DJ Lynn Toler entertained the crowd starting at 7:00 p.m.

Various musical hits played over the next three hours – including Queen’s “We Are the Champions,” The Spinners’ “Working My Way Back to You,” and Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record).”

Eventually, with many dancing along, songs such as “The Electric Slide” and “Macarena” were played.

Many gathered early for musical entertainment.

To allow herself and eight others to park their SUV at the top of a grassy hill, with lawn chairs facing the pavilion, Chenelle Rodgers arrived once the gates opened.

“We’ve been out every year. We’ll probably come back,” Rodgers said.

Jacob Stamper, along with his wife and their five children, was present with the entire family patriotically adorned in red, white, and blue clothing, symbolizing the American flag.

Asked why they were present and dressed accordingly, he responded with the following.

“It’s America; we’re here to celebrate it,” Stamper said. “That’s what we’re all here for, [to] celebrate our freedom and the people who died to give it to us.”

Stamper wasn’t the only person in attendance with such a thought.

Before a fifteen-minute firework show, which many – including Stamper and Rodgers – insisted was their favorite part of the celebration – Rolling Thunder and Patriot Guard Riders got together to honor veterans.

The former organization primarily advocates for POWs and MIAs of all U.S. wars, while the latter consistently attends funeral services for members of the U.S. military and first responders.

“[The] bottom line is, we’re here for our veterans; it’s got everything to do with that,” said Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 KY President Todd Matonich, a U.S. Navy veteran. “We’ve been parking cars since about 4:30 this afternoon. We’re getting ready to fold the [American] flag and describe the thirteen folds of the flag itself.”

The 13 folds of the American flag took place after members of different military branches were introduced following each’s official song and “Taps” being played.

John Babcock of Patriot Guard Riders explained this in detail.

“Once the sun goes down and you’re looking at a flag, if you can’t see the union within 30 feet, you must retire the colors unless they’re properly lit,” Babcock said. “When we retire the colors, we bring them back down. We fold them in a triangular shape.”

As mentioned, the event culminated in a fifteen-minute fireworks show, with many applauding afterward.

With another year of the Fourth of July celebration at Lykins Park come and gone, excitement is already starting for 2024.