Craig County celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence July 4 with a full day of patriotic activities, highlighted by the annual Craig County Independence Day Parade and community events honoring the nation’s founding.
The Craig Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution organized the parade for the fifth consecutive year. This year’s theme, “Spirit of ‘76,” encouraged participants to interpret what the spirit of 1776 means in 2026.
Before the parade began, New Castle Mayor Lenny MacDonald and his wife, Lori, walked along Main Street dressed in colonial attire while the mayor rang a bell announcing the start of the celebration. Steve Charlton then tolled the Craig County Courthouse bell 10 times before MacDonald returned to the fairgrounds to ride in the parade in Holly Brown’s red Nissan convertible.
Spectators lined Virginia 311 and Main Street dressed in patriotic colors as Girl Scout Troop 793 opened the parade carrying the United States, Virginia and Girl Scouts flags.
McKenna All served as grand marshal. A 2026 Craig County High School graduate, senior class president, valedictorian and recipient of the Craig Valley Chapter’s 2025 DAR Good Citizens Award, All rode through the parade in a white convertible driven by her father, Darryl All.
The parade featured floats from community organizations and families, along with antique automobiles, vintage tractors and farm equipment recognizing Craig County’s agricultural heritage.
Members of the Sons of the American Revolution carried several Revolutionary War-era flags during the parade. Justin Crawford of the Dan River Chapter of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution carried the Guilford Courthouse flag, the Rev. Dr. Adam Sowder carried the Taunton, or Liberty & Union, flag, and Craig County Tourism Commission member Kevin Gober carried the Bennington flag.
Judging was conducted by Nona Gabbert of Blacksburg, regent of the General William Campbell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Radford, and Don and Rhonda McNiel of Pompano Beach, Florida, who have family ties to Craig County and own Deer Park Farm in the Sinking Creek area.
Inman Johnson received the “Most Beautiful” award for his 1929 Ford Model A. According to organizers, one judge said the vehicle told the “best story” of Craig County’s past.
The Craig250 Commission received the “Most Creative/Unique” award for its America250 Commemorative Quilt float. Twenty of the quilt’s 34 creators rode on the float displaying their work while the centerpiece, the “E Pluribus Unum” commemorative quilt, was featured prominently. Peggy Pollyea of Blacksburg embroidered the names of 71 Craig County communities and the towns of Catawba, New Castle and Paint Bank, while Kelly Hunter Robinson completed the quilting. Organizers said the quilt will be displayed publicly before its permanent installation in the county’s new administration building.
Ashley Dunbar and her sons earned the “Most Patriotic Youth” award with their “Happy Birthday America” float, featuring a birthday cake constructed from recycled tires and participants dressed in military uniforms led by an escort Jeep. Jim and Pat Cady donated commemorative medals that were presented to children participating in the parade.
Craig Valley VFW Post 4491 received “Most Patriotic — Honorable Mention” for its recreation of the famous “Spirit of ‘76” painting, complete with fife and drum musicians, Betsy Ross sewing a flag and a wounded Revolutionary War soldier.
The DAR Patriot Cup for the parade’s “Most Patriotic” entry was awarded to the Neal Hutchison family. The family’s “All American” float featured four generations and 21 family members portraying American icons including Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty, George Washington and Betsy Ross, along with baseball, hot dogs, Coca-Cola, apple pie and a birthday cake topped with “250.” The family will retain the traveling trophy until next year’s parade.
Following the parade, festivities continued at the Craig County Farmers Market, where vendors sold produce, meats, baked goods and handmade crafts. Craig250 commemorative coins were also available for purchase.
Linda Surber of Oriskany won the adult division of the Most Patriotic Bonnet Contest, while Opal McPherson won the youth division.
In the beard contest, Rex Brookman earned the award for longest beard, Sam Satkuras received the award for bushiest beard and Isaiah Nichols was named best overall beard.
The annual watermelon-eating contest returned with watermelons donated by Food Country. Rylan Deskins won the under-13 division. Organizers said the name of the over-13 winner was inadvertently lost and asked anyone with that information to contact the Craig Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. All contest winners received a gift card from Mike’s Restaurant, a Craig250 challenge coin and bragging rights until next year. Remaining watermelon was donated to residents of The Commons.
The day’s events concluded with several commemorative programs at the Craig County Courthouse.
Mayor MacDonald read the Declaration of Independence to attendees, recreating the way many colonists first heard the document 250 years ago. Participants also enjoyed “Baltimore Lemonades,” made with a lemon and a peppermint stick used as a straw.
Kevin Gober, speaking on behalf of the Craig250 Commission, provided an update on the community’s America250 time capsule. Items collected so far include photographs of the 2026 Craig County High School graduating class, 2026 U.S. pennies and photographs of Main Street. The commission is accepting additional community contributions before the capsule is sealed during the Craig County Fall Festival on Oct. 10. The Craig County Historical Society will preserve the capsule until it is reopened July 4, 2076, during the nation’s 300th anniversary celebration.
The celebration concluded with Craig County’s participation in “Bells Across America.” As rain began to fall, MacDonald rang the courthouse bell 13 times at 2:50 p.m. in honor of the original 13 colonies.
The Craig Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Craig250 Commission thanked volunteers, parade participants and community members for helping make the anniversary celebration a success despite the day’s extreme heat.
-The New Castle Record
