By Matt de Simone
Thousands of Botetourt County residents celebrated Independence Day over the holiday weekend, with friends and families filling the midway in Buchanan for the annual carnival before gathering for fireworks displays July 4 and July 5 at Buchanan Town Park and Breckinridge Elementary School in Fincastle, respectively.
Both events offered residents an opportunity to celebrate the Fourth of July close to home, continuing traditions that have become annual highlights throughout the county.
The 72nd Buchanan Carnival once again transformed the town into a summertime destination, with colorful rides, midway games and classic carnival food welcoming visitors throughout the holiday weekend.
Families lined up for attractions ranging from the Ferris wheel to children’s rides, while the aroma of funnel cakes, fried treats and other fair favorites filled the air. As temperatures cooled in the evening, the carnival grounds remained busy with children, parents and visitors enjoying the festive atmosphere.
The carnival has long served as one of Buchanan’s signature summer events, drawing residents from throughout Botetourt County and neighboring communities. The annual celebration also provides an economic boost for local organizations and businesses while giving families an affordable way to celebrate the Independence Day holiday close to home.
While final attendance and revenue figures were still being compiled this week, Buchanan Town Manager Tim Mack said he considered the carnival a success despite periods of intense summer heat that affected attendance on some days.
Photo by Melaina Church
“While you always want it to be packed, you can’t always guarantee that it will be,” Mack said. “The daily turnout varied due to some severe heat conditions, but the atmosphere, entertainment and enthusiasm never wavered, and I was thrilled to see a lot of smiling faces floating about the heavy summer air.”
Mack said the July 4 fireworks display served as a fitting finale to the celebration, commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary, while the town’s annual Fourth of July parade highlighted both community creativity and patriotism. He said one of the parade’s most memorable moments was honoring longtime Buchanan resident, 93-year-old Korean War veteran and Grand Marshal Frank Hartman.
The festivities also included Buchanan’s annual Fourth of July parade through downtown. Among this year’s winners were James River Drip in the commercial category; Mark Cline, whose Uncle Sam portrayal earned first place in both the creative and funniest categories before also being named Best Overall; Night Crawlers Jeep Club for decorated non-vintage vehicle; Glasgow Life Saving & First Aid Crew Inc. for emergency medical services, with Fincastle EMS earning second place; Effinger Volunteer Fire Department in the fire department category; Botetourt Artillery in the red, white and blue category; and the owner of a Model T in the vintage vehicle category.
Perhaps most impressive to Mack, who is overseeing his first Buchanan Carnival as town manager, was the dedication of the volunteers who have sustained the event for more than seven decades.
“The fact that the carnival has been reliant on volunteers for over 70 years may be common knowledge, but what might not be so obvious is the passion it takes to participate in it,” Mack said. “My first year observing the carnival, I can’t believe how much people put into it. The dedication and commitment to it was just so inspiring. So many members of the community — some in town, some out of town — all coming together, putting personal differences and agendas aside to make sure our guests had a wonderful time.”
Later in the weekend, residents gathered at Breckinridge Elementary School in Fincastle for the town’s annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display.
Long before dusk, families spread blankets and lawn chairs across the school grounds while children played on the playground and swings or visited community vendors set up around the campus. The relaxed atmosphere gave neighbors an opportunity to visit while waiting for darkness to fall.
As evening arrived, fireworks illuminated the sky above Breckinridge Elementary, drawing cheers from the crowd and bringing the celebration to a patriotic conclusion. The event once again served as one of Fincastle’s largest community gatherings of the year, attracting residents of all ages.
“We started early to beat the storms, and the show went off beautifully without a hitch,” Fincastle Mayor Mary Bess Smith said. “We are grateful to Master Displays LTD and the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department for their professionalism and care. Events like this honor our deep traditions as we come together as a community to celebrate, and this year was particularly special as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation.”
While each event offered a different experience, together they reflected Botetourt County’s tradition of celebrating Independence Day through community gatherings that bring neighbors together.
Whether riding the midway in Buchanan or watching fireworks from a lawn chair in Fincastle, residents found opportunities throughout the holiday weekend to celebrate the nation’s birthday with family, friends and fellow community members.
