Community News

The parade, the park, the fireworks

Town of Mason celebrates Independence Day

By Mindy Kearns

For Mason County Extra Edition

MASON — The Town of Mason celebrated Independence Day Saturday with a parade and festivities at the town park.

Bentely Neal led the parade as the grand marshal. He is well-known throughout the Bend Area as one of its most patriotic citizens. Neal has raised over $4,000 for the proposed Mason County Veterans Memorial that will be located in Mason at the base of the Bridge of Honor.

A jeep full of children smile in the parade, with the grand marshal dressed in patriotic gear.
Bentely Neal sits atop a Jeep with his flag waving during the Mason Independence Day parade. Bentely was the parade grand marshal and is well known in the Bend Area for his patriotism. (Photo by Mindy Kearns for Mason County Extra Edition)
Children on dirt bikes and one on an ATV wave from the parade route.
Four-wheelers, minibikes, golf carts, hotrods and more were all part of Mason’s Independence Day parade on Saturday. (Photo by Mindy Kearns for Mason County Extra Edition)
A truck from the fire department transports members of a softball team in the truck bed.
The New Haven Hotshotz ball team got a special ride after doing well in softball tournaments recently. (Photo by Mindy Kearns for Mason County Extra Edition)

Another highlight of the parade was the debut of the Mason Fire Department’s new rescue pumper truck that arrived just a few days ago. Firemen promised the new rig will be in service soon. Members later had the truck at the park for those attending to tour.

Following the parade, activities were held for both children and adults.

New to the Mason Park and very popular was the Foam Garage from Hurricane, W.Va. Two large cannons shot foam that eventually completely covered the children if they wished. A large waterslide was also on hand to “clean them up.”

A young boy smiles while covered in foam.
Children were covered from head to toe with foam as they played in the yards and yards of suds at Mason’s Independence Day celebration. (Photo courtesy of Brittany Dangerfield)
A large gathering of kids and parents in foam along the river.
A view from the top of the hill shows the popularity of the Foam Garage’s two foam cannons that kept children entertained at the Town of Mason’s Independence Day celebration. (Photo by Mindy Kearns for Mason County Extra Edition)

Bingo with cash prizes kept older teens and adults entertained. Voices rang out 20 times under the pavilion as winners shouted “bingo” and received their cash prizes.

Bretton Lee and the Memphis Rundown took the stage later in the evening. The band kept the music rolling until time for the climax of the night.

Two musicians perform on stage.
Bretton Lee and the Memphis Run down is pictured as they perform Saturday evening at the Mason Park. (Photo by Mindy Kearns for Mason County Extra Edition)

For the second year, the Town of Mason partnered with the Village of Pomeroy, Ohio to present the Big Bend Area Fireworks Show. The park was packed with people watching the pyrotechnics, which could also be seen from many places throughout town.

Fireworks explode over the Ohio River.
Fireworks, combined with the reflecting lights in the Ohio River, made a beautiful display Saturday night in Mason. (Photo by Mindy Kearns for Mason County Extra Edition)
Fireworks explode over the Ohio River with boaters and people gathered along the banks pictured.
People lined the banks of the Ohio River in both Mason and Pomeroy, Ohio, with boats drifting in the water, watching the Big Bend Area Fireworks Show, a collaboration between the Town of Mason and Village of Pomeroy, Ohio. (Photo by Mindy Kearns for Mason County Extra Edition)

© 2023, Mason County Extra Edition, all rights reserved.

Mindy Kearns is a former reporter and editor for the Point Pleasant Register. A lifelong resident of Mason, she now serves as the town recorder.

(Editor’s Note on accessibility: Mason County Extra Edition attempts to use accessible fonts and alternative text for photographs, to be inclusive of all readers.)

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