Somerset enjoys 33rd Annual Community Celebration

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — 4th of July celebrations continued Saturday in Perry County.

Somerset held their 33rd Annual Community Celebration this afternoon. The day full of activities kicked off with a parade, and ended with a fireworks display; an opportunity for families and community members alike to spend time together with one another.

“I like coming out to the parade, it’s fun for the kids. It’s something for us to do, we get to see everybody, and they get to get some fun candy and spend time as a family together,” said Mackenzie Brown, one Somerset community member.

“For Somerset being such a small town, family is one of our most important values. And you can really see that, for such a small community, to have such a big turnout for just the parade and then let alone all day activities. So it just means a lot to us as a community,” echoed Nicole Clark, another community member and parade attendee.

One veteran said that he and his family’s service in the military makes the holiday extra meaningful to him, and it brings out something in all community members.

“Out of four years I had three years, three months, and 29 days sea duty. And a lot of guys say, ‘oh you were in the Coast Guard, what’s that?’ But we saved a lot of people,” said Bill Elk, a former Coast Guard veteran and community member. “It means a lot, yeah. I had some family that got killed in Vietnam and all that stuff. It brings out something in everybody when the 4th of July comes along, you know it really does,” Elk added.

The Community Celebration also included a Star Idol event, a peddle pull, and a car show. Attendees were able to enjoy food and craft stands, fire engine rides, bingo and more throughout the day.