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CATLETTSBURG The annual Freedom Celebration in Catlettsburg offered the perfect “recipe” for some celebrating the holiday.

The celebration featuring a car cruise-in, live entertainment, food and, of course, lemonade and kettle corn downtown as people celebrated Independence Day.

Robin Crum, who lived in Catlettsburg for a long time, said she always makes an attempt to come back for different events put on by the city throughout the year. She has noticed the number of people attending events has increased, making her proud, she said.

“They’re doing a little bit more each year. It’s a great recipe,” for a celebration, Crum said, referencing the car cruise-in, live music and food vendors.

“They have the best lemonade, I know that,” she added with a chuckle.

Crum, who now lives out in the country, said events like the Fourth of July celebration Saturday evening is one staple out of a pack keeping people connected.

“They (the events) bring people like me back in. They keep people like me in touch with my hometown, my roots and people I don’t get to see except maybe two or three times a year,” she said.

Connie Nicklis, owner of Skulls and Inspired, offering handmade resin skulls, was one of multiple vendors on 26th Street. What began as a Mother’s Day gift from her children has since transformed into a hobby.

“One Mother’s Day my kids bought me a little thing of resin — a really small kit — and it took me a year after before I used it. I found a skull mold that I wanted to buy and use. I handmake everything myself and I make my own molds,” she said.

Upon completion of her first mold, she took to social media where she noticed a demand for the product, she said.

“Everyone loved it and wanted to buy it,” Nicklis said. “I sold like three from that one little set. Now I buy two and four gallons of resin at a time.”

Stephen Crites, who had been at two car shows — soaking up the heat in Grayson and Rush, prior to the one in Catlettsburg — said where there is a car cruise-in, he will be in attendance, he said, sitting next to his 1969 Stingray Corvette. He’s had it for six years.

“I used to be a Harley rider and I don’t ride anymore. I wanted to get into something else, so I picked the Corvette,” Crites said, detailing how he obtained the hot ride. “It is a 427 factory ± big block with original motor and transmission.”

The 55-year-old vehicle is said to reach 160 mph, according to Crites, and after personally testing the waters, he said it can exceed what is registered.

“It will go past that,” he said with a laugh.

A fireworks display finished out the night.

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