Hampton Lee opens Friday’s Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park by singing the national anthem. The annual event was co-sponsored by the Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Illenna Brutus, 2, waves her flag Friday afternoon during the Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park. The event was co-sponsored by the Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club. She is the daughters of Evens and Temekia Brutus. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Barbara Bullard of Calypso was one of the many sporting flags during Friday’s Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park. It was co-sponsored by the Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Cora Price, 11, follows up her slice of pizza with a frozen treat during Friday’s Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park co-sponsored by the Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Those attending Friday’s Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park, co-sponsored by the Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club, enjoyed free entertainment and food. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
A child enjoys a hot dog Friday afternoon during the Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park that was co-sponsored by the Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
The Harmony Boys perform during Friday’s Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
A child holds the hand of a younger child to keep her from running across the old tennis court at Westbrook Park and into the path of the Pickle Train. They were among the approximately 450 people attending Friday’s Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park co-sponsored by the Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Linda Bonin, left, helps Exchange Club President Belinda Parent, serve hot dogs Friday during the Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park, co-sponsored by the Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Exchange Club member Laurie Evans serves watermelon to Jerry Gurgainous as others wait their turn. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Rotary Club member Kim Kornegay, center, and her daughter Morgan help pass out pizza slices Friday afternoon during the Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park, co-sponsored by the Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Azilyn Wellinger, 3, makes short work of her cookie while her sister Kayzli, 5, picks the seeds out of her slice of watermelon. They are the children of Dave and Melissa Wellinger of Goldsboro. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
The large inflatable slide was hit Friday afternoon among the children attending the Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park that was co-sponsored by the Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
The Mount Olive Parks and Recreation Dept. Pickle Train was popular among children and adults attending the Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park that was co-sponsored by the Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
The approximately 450 people attending Friday’s Fourth of July celebration at Westbrook Park ranged in age from six months to 91 years — one person was even celebrating their July 4 birthday — and there were even visitors from as far away as Texas, Idaho and Thailand.
They devoured 400 hot dogs and 400 pizza slices and enjoyed watermelon, pickles, water and drinks, popsicles, Pickle Train rides, a large inflatable slide, face painting and entertainment — all free of charge.
The Mount Olive Exchange Club and Rotary Club partnered for the first time this year co-hosted the town’s annual old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“We had more people playing bingo than ever, 80 to 100,” said Belinda Parent, Exchange Club president.
Piggly Wiggly provided watermelon slices; Girl Scout Troop 389 had popsicles; Mt. Olive Pickle Co. provided free pickles; and Burger King donated cookies.
For the first time, the Make A Difference Food Pantry provided juice boxes for children.
Dwayne McKay, Exchange Club president-elect, gave the welcome and described the various tents and their offerings.
He also presented Mt. Olive Pickle gift packs to the youngest and oldest to attend, the one who traveled the farthest and the one born on July 4.
McKay spoke about the club and its community involvement, encouraging people interested to consider joining the club.
Hampton Lee sang the national anthem. Former town commissioner Steve Wiggins gave the invocation, and McKay led the pledge of allegiance.
