The aroma of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs wafting through the air … Children shrieking as they play, and families and friends gathered at picnic tables enjoying conversations, laughter and good food.

Despite warnings of a brief but intense storm, hundreds gathered at Bonita Lakes Monday for an afternoon that included a parade, music, food and, of course, fireworks as part of Meridian’s celebration of the Fourth of July.

“It rains every year,” said Gloria Dancy, who attends the Fourth of July celebration every year with her husband, Frank, and other family members. “But then it blows over and everything turns out just as planned.”

Festivities started with a Parade of Hometown Heroes, a new addition to the annual celebration. In addition to the area’s military heroes, first responders and local law enforcement were the honorees.

“They are the reason I’m here; to show them my support,” said Angelia Patton, who, along with her husband, Anthony, and 10-year-old godson Jahmir, enjoyed slices of cold watermelon, chips and other favorites prior to the festivities.

“Without them, there would be no freedom to enjoy,” Patton said. “When we see our military in fatigues, or law enforcement in uniform around the city, we make sure we tell them ‘thank you’ for serving our country and our city.”

Patriotism flourished throughout the celebration through song – including a touching performance of “The National Anthem” by Terrence Davis, assistant for the city of Meridian’s Cultural Affairs Department – as well as apparel – flag T-shirts, shawls and hats to simply wearing the colors of red, white and blue.

And to keep spirits high as the evening progressed, Steve Wilkerson and Friends performed a wide range of music – soul, country, blues, ragtime/jazz, zydeco and even a little “boogie-woogie” rhythms. Rounding out the music fare were local entertainers Walt Littleton, Curtis Shumate, Tommy Etheridge, Ted Hennington and Amy Lott.

And while food, fun and fellowship abound throughout the celebration, those in attendance were not lost on the cause.

“I’m proud to be an American because in many other countries people are not born into choices – where they are born and where they are going to be,” said Ethan Williams, who left Meridian in February 2015 to attend pilot school as a Navy officer. Back home for a week, Williams, his wife, Hayley, and infant daughter, Arielle, were enjoying the day with his parents Daryl and Diane Williams.

“Often the kids born in Afghanistan, their moms and dads are sheep farmers and they are going to grow up and be sheep farmers. Being an American, we have choices. My grandfather was a cattle farmer, my father worked with trucks and I get to be a pilot just by being an American.”

“We live in the best country in the world!” 15-year-old Erin Gibson said. “Not every country enjoys the freedoms we do – to worship freely, to speak our minds. That is so important.”

And what Fourth of July celebration would be complete without a fireworks display – over the lake. To complement the fireworks spectacular, Wilkerson and Friends performed a special version of “America.”