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Millions of Americans celebrated the country’s 250th birthday on Saturday, with cities large and small coming together to mark the occasion in their own ways.
That includes Somerset, Ky., and Bristol, R.I., where fewer than 35,000 people combined lived as of the 2020 U.S. Census.
Alan Keck (R), the mayor of Somerset, said on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” his town had a “weeklong party to celebrate our great country,” featuring Kentucky bourbon, Texas-style brisket and “red, white and blue everywhere.”
Lake Cumberland, which is close to the southern Kentucky town, hosts what officials call the “biggest small-town Fourth of July celebration in America.”
Keck said Sunday that his city’s festivities were “focused around things that bring people together,” instead of divisive political issues.
“I campaigned years ago to light up Somerset to promote our small town, but to do so on things that did unite us, art and music and food and spirits,” Keck told host Chris Stirewalt. “And that was exactly what happened last night.
“Yeah, there were no political conversations, other than just folks saying how awesome it was, how happy they were to celebrate our great country and to enjoy some bull riding and fireworks.”
Bristol, meanwhile, hosted the 241st edition of what it touts as the country’s “oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration,” including a parade.
Thomas Carroll, the chief marshal of Bristol’s July Fourth commemoration this year, said Sunday the community’s celebration “speaks to the patriotism of the town, the love of the country and the love of the freedoms we have.”
He told Stirewalt, “It’s just a great celebration, but a great appreciation for our country as a nation. And there’s no [partisanship] on this particular day. It’s all an appreciation for the freedoms we have.”
Add as preferred source on Google Tags Chris StirewaltCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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