From the beginning of the day starting with a fun run to the end of the night going out with a bang, the City of Checotah’s Freedom Celebration was spectacular. The event had 28 volunteers, 10 employees, two city council members, plus a mayor and a judge helping to pull off this year’s event.

The Freedom Fest 5K Fun Run winners were listed in last week’s paper, while the rest of the winners for various events held throughout the day included: Cornhole Tournament:

1st place – Bia Fields and Zack Mullen 2nd place – Byron Proctor and Brian Proctor 3rd place – Corey Miller and Brian Durrett

Fishing Derby:

12 & Under 1st place (tie) – Grayson Kaler 1st place – Elyjah Tayde 2nd place – Jeter Ketenbrink 3rd place (tie) – Kactus Joe Roper 3rd place – Gracelyn Vogt 13 & Up 1st place – Ryker Mc-Coy 2nd place – Athena Lowrey 3rd place – Ayden Tayde

Boat Races

Children RayLynn Tarkington Little Dave Prince Adults 1st place – Devin Nemic 2nd place – Dustin Howell 3rd place – Margaret Casey Golf:

1st place – Aaron Brinsfield 2nd place – Weston Brown Power Wheels Races: 5 Years & Under 1st place – Montana Fields, electric dirt bike 1st place – Baylen Rea, power wheels 2nd place – Hallory Tarkington, power wheels 3rd place – Zach Siers, power wheels 6 to 9 Years: 1st place – Rhett Howell, electric dirt bike 1st place – Ray-Lynn Tarkington, power wheels Stock Mower Races: 1st place – George Burnet 2nd place – Joey Marion 2nd Pulley Modified Mower Races: 1st place – Chris Brown 2nd place – Dustin Howell Modified Mower Races 1st place – Rylee Campbell Daniel Tarkington and Buck Fields crashed out Wheelbarrow Races: 1st place – Dustin Howell and Rylee Campbell 2nd place – Jacob Campbell and Buck Fields 3rd place – Margaret Casey and Jessica Brown The City of Checotah would like to say a huge thank you to their sponsors for stepping up and helping make the 4th of July Freedom Celebration a success.

Sharpe’s Department Store, Lake Eufaula Land Service, Checotah Perk, Sammy’s Pest Control, Adventure Headstart, Mob Scene Fireworks, Father N Son Drywall, Horsepower Nutrition, Wildcat Nutrition, Heartland Heritage Museum, Gilligan’s Hawaiian Ice, TNT – Jenny Duvall, Curl Up & Dye Danny and Alisha Hamilton, Checotah Fit Club, Lucky Penny Chocolate Delights, Kristen Andrews Hair, Checotah True Value and Checotah Tree Service – Jeff Gaxiola. Special thanks to those who also advertised in the local newspaper, were vendors or helped in any way.