Stoneville has a blast on the Fourth of July

The banjo Lee Lawson played Friday at Stoneville Memorial Park was the perfect choice for music on the Fourth of July.

As the fingers of his left hand moved up and down the banjo's neck while playing a familiar bluegrass tune, they traced over a pictorial history of America.

An image of the Mayflower landing is inlaid between the frets near a headstock carved and painted like a golden eagle with wings spread. The remainder of the banjo's neck bears depictions of scenes like covered wagons, the Statue of Liberty, Army tanks and Old Glory waving proud.

The "All-American" model Gibson banjo around Lawson's neck is no longer in production, making the instrument a valuable collector's item. But that's not the limit of its value to Lawson.

"It sounds as good as it looks," he said.

Lee Lawson, along with his brother, Eddie, father, Hubert, and mother, Vera, were among several performers entertaining crowds at Stoneville's annual Fourth of July Celebration. In addition to Hubert Lawson and the Bluegrass Country Boys, Friday's lineup included everything from gospel music to rock and beach music.

"We tried to make sure we had something for everyone," said Stoneville Mayor Rex Tuggle. "This is traditionally a family holiday and we wanted people to be able to come out with the whole family and spend the day having fun."

Stoneville's tradition of fun in the park on July Fourth goes back a long time. Although some people date the start back to 1995, when the town first started having fireworks to close the event, others can remember coming out before that.

"I remember coming here to cover the event when I was police officer in Stoneville between 1987 and 1991," said Mayodan Police Chief Jim Bullins. "I know I was here at least two years in 1990 and 1991."

Tuggle also remembers some type of Fourth of July Celebration in the park prior to his first term as mayor back in 1995.

"I remember coming out to the park on the Fourth when Bill Crews was mayor," Tuggle said. "So I'm not really sure when this all started. I'm just glad we've been able to keep it up and try to improve it every year."

Although most of the day was devoted to fun, the event took on a serious note about mid-afternoon. With about two-dozen veterans standing behind him on stage, Tuggle reminded the crowd that America's military men and women were the ones who provided the freedom our nation enjoys.

"They are the ones who sacrificed everything to ensure our independence," he said. "We owe them a great debt of gratitude. We couldn't let this day go by without recognizing them for their service."

Tuggle read a list of the soldiers from Stoneville who gave their lives in conflicts around the world from World War I through the current War in Iraq.

Guest speaker for the veterans' recognition was former U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Bigelow from Stoneville. Bigelow recited a long list of service locations he cataloged during his years of service in the Corps, including combat service in Korea, Cuba and Vietnam.

"Believe me, there's a big difference between service in the peacetime military and wartime military," he said. "But it was always a privilege and an honor to serve."

Turnout for the annual Stoneville event continued to be strong, with large numbers of children coming out to take part in games ranging from spitting watermelon seeds to sack races and a tug-of-war.

"We've always had good response from the community in support of this event and I hope the town can continue to sponsor it for many years to come," said Tuggle. "It's a tradition I would hate to see fall victim to hard financial times. It means a lot everyone here to keep it going."

• News editor Steve Lawson can be reached at slawson@reidsvillereview.com or 548-6047.