Monday was a day of celebration as the nation marked its 246th anniversary with cookouts, parties, parades and, of course, fireworks. At left, 2022 Daffodil Festival Little Miss Emeryson Byrd and 2022 Daffodil Queen Stephanie Riedell represented Gloucester well in Yorktown’s annual July 4 parade. “Bowie” the patriotic pup (accompanied by his human, Claudia Lamb) got all decked out for Monday’s July 4th celebration at Gloucester’s Grace on Main. A large crowd gathered at Mathews High School as the Mathews Fireworks Committee was able to come back after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. Proudly waving the red, white and blue (middle) were Ava Bowen (in star-spangled skirt) and McKenzie Rowe. In bottom photo, the crowd at Mathews High School was grooving to the southern and classic rock sounds of Rip Tide. Band members pictured include, from left, Lori Ann Javier, Steve Utley, Ron Reagan and Dave Jones.

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