Festivalgoers of all ages enjoyed the fireworks. (Photo by Melinda Massey)

Trakas, Moore & Jenkins (and a guest on bass) is the first band to take the stage, which featured live music all day long.

Trakas, Moore & Jenkins (and a guest on bass) is the first band to take the stage, which featured live music all day long.

Maxx is in a patriotic mood ready to celebrate the Fourth of July.

David Fleming, Sr. hands out American flags to festival visitors. He serves as an Adjutant with both the American Legion Post 250 and VFW Post 9116.

Daniel Verdin of Front Porch Churn serves up homemade ice cream from his specially built trailer which looks like an old tin shack.

Trakas, Moore & Jenkins (and a guest on bass) is the first band to take the stage, which featured live music all day long.

Westen isn’t quite sure what his face-painting job is going to look like. Mom, Amanda Elder, admires the artistry from a distance.

The lines were long, and the people were hungry for fresh funnel cakes and other treats from vendors lining the street.

Charlene Lewis takes pride in her 1969 Pontiac Firebird with all original parts. The color is the original “carousel red.”

The Neverwhere Sisters stepped in at the last minute to provide music. They were a crowd-pleaser.

St. Luke’s Hospital volunteers were on deck handing out lots of cool swag.

Volunteers from Crossroads Baptist Church took turns in the dunking booth all day. Either the kids had amazing arms or they received a little divine intervention, but the members kept getting dunked.

Dozens of vintage cars were lined up for the Cruise-In.

Dozens of vintage cars were lined up for the Cruise-In.

Columbus Fire Department makes sure the flag of the United States is displayed high and proud during the festivities.

Ryleigh gets her own tattoo. Don’t worry, it’s temporary.

Sarah Ream and her kids, Aaron and Ada, are taking it all in on this warm Fourth of July.

Miles Foster and pup, Harley, enjoy the atmosphere of the Fabulous Fourth.

Richard and JoAnne Gagliano and pup, Rosie Jo, are all donning their shades on this mostly sunny day.

Samson, a service dog, is ready for a day of partying. He’s accompanied by his mom, veteran Rebecca, and his older sister, Leah. Just around the corner was dad, Zach (also a veteran), and brother Adam.

Three generations of the Baughman and Wilson families enjoyed a breather by the fountain at Veterans Park.

Crossroads Baptist Church of Columbus provided a huge variety of games for the kids who didn’t even miss the rides this year.

Two festivalgoers watch under the shadows of the Polk County Courthouse.

Twice the fun is being enjoyed by twins, Aubree and Adalee.

Crossroads Baptist Church of Columbus provided a huge variety of games for the kids who didn’t even miss the rides this year.

Members of Crossroads Baptist Church traded prizes for tickets the kids won playing all the games the church provided.

Crossroads Baptist Church of Columbus provided a huge variety of games for the kids who didn’t even miss the rides this year.

The Town of Columbus provided an array of bouncy houses and Crossroads Baptist Church provided all kinds of games. Everyone was happy.

There were hundreds of festivalgoers, and it seems half of them had dogs.

Skylar is enjoying the day with lots to celebrate.

Brad and Kathy from Flat Rock drove down with their best friend, Buddy, for the day.

Vince Shimkus, lets local kids take a seat in a rather large firetruck from the Columbus Fire Department. In addition to volunteering with the Fire Department, Vince is also a volunteer with the Columbus Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department.

The fireworks display began at 9:45 p.m. (Photo by Melinda Massey)

The fireworks were a crowd favorite, as always. (Photo by Melinda Massey)

The fireworks were a crowd favorite, as always. (Photo by Melinda Massey)