KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The City of Keystone Heights celebrated its 55th Annual Our Country Day celebration on the Fourth of July.

The event started in 1969 when Mayor Ray Starnes gathered the community to celebrate the national holiday. This year, the city continued the tradition with an all-day event that families could enjoy.

“Our Country Day is Keystone Heights’s annual celebration of America’s independence, and all the great things represent that America’s value and Clay County’s values,” said Brandon Ludwig, city spokesman.

The celebration kicked off with the Keystone Heights Freedom 5K. Locals could jog or walk along the winding downtown streets and raise scholarship money for the Keystone Heights High seniors.

Our Country Day featured 50 unique vendors and food trucks. And nearly 1,000 residents lined Lawrence Boule ard for the 11 a.m. for Lake Region Kiwanis Parade. This year’s theme was “Volunteers, the Heart of Our Community.”

After the parade, activities such as a Dunk Tank, Johnny’s BBQ Hot Dog Eating Contest, Keystone Heights Heritage Commission’s Pie and Cobbler Contest and a classic car show were available to the community.

Fireworks and a concert featuring the Dewey Via Band concluded the daylong festival.

The celebration was a success as the community enjoyed themselves.

“We love the event. We come here every year,” one resident said.

There were more than 200 runners 5K race.

Patriotic-clad families cheered as the parade passed, featuring floats from organizations and business such as Community Christian Church, Keystone Heights Woman’s Club, Lake Area Small Engine and Keystone Heights Rotary Club.