There is no official attendance number for Highlands’ Fourth of July celebration.
But unofficially, the 2023 festivities were quite possibly the best attended ever.
The flood of people to the Highlands baseball field started bright and early at 9 a.m. when the annual water rocket launch got underway. Families flooded the field as kids took turns firing off their homemade creations.
By the time the field games started at 11 a.m. the day had already reached a fevered pitch.
“Every year it always amazes me how many folks come out and take part in these events, and this year it might be a record,” Highlands Parks and Recreation Director Lester Norris said. “The big thing is that everyone is having a good time. We haven’t had any issues.”
The Rotary Club of Highlands served up free hot dogs and drinks while families took time to get an up-close look at the Mountain Area Medical Airlift helicopter, which landed in center field at noon. Highlands Fire and Rescue was on hand to show children around some of the department’s trucks and then capped the field day with a soaking by the ladder truck as children turned the outfield into an impromptu slip-and-slide.
Once the field day ended the celebration moved to Mill Creek for “the most exciting five minutes in Highlands” – the annual Rotary Duck Derby.
“I just want to take a second and thank everyone who came out, we had a record sales year selling 1,446 ducks, which is every duck we have,” Rotarian Jerry Moore said. “The proceeds from the derby stay right here in our community as we continue to work with our nonprofit partners to provide services to those in need.”
Following the duck derby the crowds got a break for dinner before making their way back to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park for a free concert sponsored by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce. A fireworks display capped the evening at 9:30 p.m.