Sky Valley celebrates Independence Day in true ‘cool’ red, white and blue fashion

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. This Sky Valley Grand Parade float on July 5 featured giant ducks on water with many decorated participants, marketing the annual Sky Valley Rubber Duck Race that had a lot of happy youth smiling. The float won First Place in the Grand Parade.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Over 515 ducks made their way down the creek in Sky Valley for the annual Rubber Duck Race on July 5. Pictured are top five winners Elora Bunn, who received first place with duck number 79, left; Annalyn Garrison, who received second place with duck number 532; Molly Robinson, who received fifth place with duck number 255; Banks Kyburz, who received third place with duck number 512; and Jackson Pyle, who received fourth place with duck number 490.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. There were many patriotic entries, including this Bald Eagle, during the Sky Valley Grand Parade on Saturday, July 5. The parade had over 37 participants this year.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The “Patriotic Peddlers” cycle their way through Sky Valley during the Grand Parade honoring Independence Day on Saturday, July 5.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Local nonprofit Choices Pregnancy Center was one of over 37 participants in the July 5 Sky Valley Grand Parade.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Joseph Gabinsky, 11, celebrates after dunking Paul Beasley in the Dunk Tank. The tank was one of many fun activities for kids in the Kids’ Zone during Sky Valley’s Independence Day festivities on July 5.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Nolan Gardener, 9, throws shots at the Dunk Tank in Sky Valley on Saturday, July 5, during Independence Day activities in the Kids’ Zone. He eventually dunks Paul Beasley and celebrates.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Sky Valley-Scaly Mountain Volunteer Fire Rescue was decorated in red, white and blue and conclude Sky Valley’s Grand Parade on Saturday, July 5.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Grace Chapel at High Holly was one of over 37 participants in Sky Valley’s Grand Parade last weekend. Rev. Steve Kerhoulas, pastor at Grace Chapel on High Holly Mountain, gave the invocation at the beginning of the parade.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The Grand Marshal in Sky Valley’s Grand Parade last weekend was Sally Shearon accompanied by her husband, George. Each year, Dee Vollmer drives the Grand Marshals in her decorated convertible while Dan Vollmer walks the parade dressed as Uncle Sam.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. High Grounds Consulting was one of over 37 patriotic parade participants in Sky Valley last weekend.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. There were many fun activities to enjoy during the Sky Valley Independence Day festivities on Saturday, July 5. The Kids’ Zone featured many games.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The Kyburz Family has been having “Mountain Fun since 1973!” and was featured in matching shirts in Sky Valley on Saturday, July 5. The family celebrated Independence day and held up a sign stating “four generations enjoying mountain fun.”

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Crowds of people flocked to Sky Valley for the annual Independence Day festivities on Saturday, July 5. Onlookers cheer for their duck, as over 515 participate in the Rubber Duck Race and race for the coveted title of being the fastest duck in Sky Valley.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Bigfoot makes his way into Sky Valley’s Grand Parade on Saturday, July 5. Noryce Burgey is dressed as the sasquatch creature.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Sky Valley Garden Club was one of over 37 participants in Sky Valley’s Grand Parade on Saturday, July 5. They sported this patriotically-decorated golf cart.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. VFW Post 4570 marches in the Sky Valley Grand Parade on Saturday, July 5, during Independence Day festivities.