Wyatt Nugent buries his face in a slice of watermelon to secure the win at the Watermelon Rumble at Dayton’s annual Hometown Celebration. Wyatt won the kids’ contest, while his dad, Trystan, took top honors in the adult competition.

Premiere Dance Centre puts on a performance at the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon to celebrate Independence Day. Photo by Celeste Denova

Lexi Rodriguez shows her patriotism with a bit of face paint at Dayton’s Hometown Celebration at the Dayton Community Center. Photo by Celeste Denova

Fireworks light up the night sky over Daisetta’s Bobcat Stadium during the Stars, Stripes and Fireworks on the Field, organized by Daisetta and HD N.E.A.T. Photo by Chris Cody

Kylee Allen (left), Taelyn St. Julian and Layla Finney show their patriotism in matching outfits at Dayton’s Hometown Celebration at the Dayton Community Center. Photo by Celeste Denova

Zahir Turner swings a mallet in hopes of ringing the bell at Cleveland’s Independence Day celebration at Indian Stadium. Photo by Celeste Denova

Winners of the Watermelon Rumble, Trystan (right) and Wyatt Nugent, hold up their prize at Dayton’s Hometown Celebration in the Dayton Community Center. Photo by Celeste Denova

Kathy Sweger (right) makes an impressive chess move as her son, Henry Sweger, expresses shock at Cleveland’s Independence Day celebration at Indian Stadium. Photo by Celeste Denova

Cleveland High School dancers Esmeralda Tovias (left), Alessandra Gomez and Karol Garcia celebrate during a game of cornhole at Cleveland’s Independence Day celebration at Indian Stadium. Photo by Celeste Denova

The DCamp Family Band prepares to perform at Dayton’s Hometown Celebration in the Dayton Community Center, with assistance from Dayton and Liberty school bands. Photo by Celeste Denova

Kiddos enjoy playing in bubbles at Dayton’s Hometown Celebration at the Dayton Community Center. Photo by Celeste Denova

Annabell Lindsey (left) throws a beanbag while Raven Majors waits for her turn at cornhole at Cleveland’s Independence Day celebration at Indian Stadium. Photo by Celeste Denova

People gaze up at the night sky to watch fireworks at Liberty’s Red, White and BOOM Celebration at Liberty Municipal Park. Photo by Chris Cody