PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Rear Adm. A.J. Jackson (USN Ret.) (front) and SFC Lloyd Harris (USA Ret.) salute those who gave their lives in military service after laying a wreath at the memorial during a ceremony at the Fourth of July celebration in Bartow Wednesday. The ceremony acknowledged the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Bartow Adult Concert Band conductor John DeYoung leads the audience in singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" during the band's annual Fourth of July concert on Wednesday. The crowd at Bartow Civic Center heard patriotic numbers, medleys of spirituals, and Dixieland tunes ont he program which closed with "The Stars and Stripes Forever," the National March of the U.S. by John Philip Sousa.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Some celebrated the Fourth of July by cooling off in the Sam Griner Pool Wednesday.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

American Legion Post #3 members salute the United States flag during opening ceremonies for Bartow's Fourth of July celebration Wednesday at Mosaic Park. On stage behind them are (from left) Wally Edwards, Kaitlyn Croom (singing the National Anthem), Rev. Herman Music and Mayor Leo Longworth.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Seen through tree branches, Fourth of July fireworks create abstract art in the sky Wednesday night.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Vendors offered lots of food choices from corn dogs to sweet potato fries at Bartow's Fourth of July celebration Wednesday.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Florida National Guard, Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery set up displays of military equipment under moss-draped trees next to the Memorial Walk and Miss Liberty for the Fourth of July celebration.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Families and friends brought lawn chairs and blankets to spread out on the grass and enjoy the music, food and fireworks of the annual Fourth of July celebration at Mosaic Park in Bartow on Wednesday.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Tomorrow's News was one of the musical groups and individuals performing at Bartow's Fourth of July celebration Wednesday at Mosaic Park.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

The American flag serves as a backdrop for a memorial to those who gave their lives for their country. A wreath was laid during a ceremony at the Fourth of July celebration at Mosaic Park in Bartow on Wednesday.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Rear Adm. A.J. Jackson (USN Ret.) salutes a memorial to those who gave their lives in military service after laying a wreath at the memorial during a ceremony at the Fourth of July celebration in Bartow Wednesday. The ceremony acknowledged the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War. SFC Lloyd Harris (USA Ret.) assisted in the ceremony.