"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival," John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, after the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

But it was two days later that Congress accepted the final wording of the Declaration, prompting the nation's Founding Fathers to select July 4 as the momentous day. The communities of Plains and Paradise continued that tradition of commemorating Independence Day last week with food, music, games, and fireworks.

Festivities began with a Plains Lions Club and the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District pancake breakfast at the rural fire hall from 7-11 a.m. Lions President Duane Highcrane said they took in about $550. He said the fire district donated their portion to the Lions Club and all will go toward the wading pool in Plains, which is operated by the Lions.

VFW Post 3596 held its traditional Fourth of July celebration at Fred Young Park by cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for the community.

Thirteen VFW members handed out hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, pop and water for three hours Wednesday. U.S. Navy veteran Gary Jenson, the post's new vice commander, served as the primary cook, grilling 170 burgers and 160 dogs. Jimmie Allison, a U.S. Air Force veteran and the new post commander, believed more than 300 people attended the club event. Wanda Jenson, Jenny Knutson and Rhonda Small made almost 300 cupcakes for people at the picnic.

The post has been putting on an Independence Day celebration at Fred Young Park for more than 40 years. Allison said they host the event to give back to the community and to honor their brothers in arms.

Members of the nonprofit group Joint Operation Mariposa held a fundraiser at the Community Pool Park that afternoon and presented a 48x64-inch patriotic quilt from the Quilts of Valor Foundation to U.S. Army veteran Larry Fletes, 72.

The quilt was presented to Fletes by Ed Foste, a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of Joint Operation Mariposa, an organization created three years ago to bring awareness to veteran suicides and the families that are impacted.

The biggest draw of the day was the traditional Paradise Picnic in the Park, where American Legion Post 129 provided free burgers and an assortment of potluck dishes from the community. Adam Aguilera conducted several children and adult games: sack races, balloon toss, straw coin search, and a tug-a-war that ended when the rope broke, sending both teams of adults to the ground.

It was also the grand opening for the American Legion bar, which was destroyed by fire several years ago. The post had some difficulties reopening the new 3,400-square foot building, but now it's open for good, said Marilyn Bischof, the post's public relations officer.

Ed Moreth

TOUGH TUG – Adults at the Paradise Picnic in the Park put their muscles to work during a tug-o-war contest just before the rope broke, sending both sides to the ground.

Dusk brought the communities traditional fireworks shows. At Paradise, "Big Ed" McKevitt and Deana and Riley Owens, all of Plains, donated a pallet of fireworks, which were sent into the clear nighttime sky. Although the Sanders County Fair didn't have fireworks, more than a dozen people once again gathered at the fairgrounds beach to launch a fireworks show that lasted until after midnight.