By Allison Roorda
Community Post
Despite threatening clouds on Friday morning, the July Fourth weekend turned out to be warm and sunny: perfect weather for the Fort Loramie Liberty Days.

The Independence Day celebration was extended this year from two days to three, stretching over Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and including everything from Bubble Gum Blowing Contest to the new Beer Mug Shuffle Board.
“Because the Fourth fell on a Friday this year,” said Eric Sherman, head of the Liberty Days Committee, “we just followed the extra day. So it went from Thursday, Friday, Saturday. That was probably a one-time deal, just depending on where the holiday falls in the week.”
Caitlyn Gasson, daughter of Chad and Carolyn Gasson, won the Little Miss Independence Contest on Friday afternoon. Andrea Holthaus, daughter of Don and Bev Holthaus was crowned Miss Independence later in the day. Holthaus also won the Best Costume award with her homemade outfit of a patriotic themed pioneer outfit, with a patchwork skirt and apron, a red jacket and a blue cami to show the blending of modern with traditional ideals. Holthaus' apron also bore red and blue stars, each corresponding to a letter in the word “Patriotism.”
Both Miss Independence contests were large crowd pleasers as well as the Bean Bag Tournament on Saturday afternoon.
“That's probably our biggest crowd-draw-er,” Sherman said of the Bean Bag Tournament. “We had 70 teams participate, and I think they had to turn down about 20 teams. It's the biggest tournament in the area.”
In its 14th year at the Liberty Days, the Bean Bag Tournament is sponsored by the Fort Loramie Football Boosters and GYM Committee, which sponsors community sports and athletics. With the $10 registration fee, the money is used to pay the DJ for the event and to add to the Boosters' fund throughout the year.
The kids' pet parade was also a joy to watch and included dogs, cats and several miscellaneous pets, such as a peacock named Doug.