HENDERSON, KY (WEHT) — Crowds celebrated the Fourth of July on Henderson’s riverfront.
The event featured elite athletes attempting to qualify for the Olympic pole vaulting team, and several people in their Fourth of July best.
“I got that red, white and blue in my beard!”
Mike Knakmuhs decided to go all out this Fourth of July — including patriotic overalls and dying his beard.
Crowds packed in their patriotism at the river front to enjoy BBQ, lawn games, and a competitive athletic event.
At the pole vault, Mykaya and Mykiah Breedlove watched the jumpers intently.
“I think it’s good.”
“It looks cool, and I would never be able to do it because I would probably break my neck.”
America loves a comeback story, which the Jammin’ and Jumpin’ competition provides.
“This is my fourth year competing here,” said vaulter Chase Brannon. He won last year’s competition. “First year was 2016, I got second. The next year, I uh…got dead last. And last year I won, so, trying to keep the title.”
For one of these vaulters this is her first Fourth of July as an American.
“I am originally from Cuba, and I defected from there in 2013,” said Daylis Caballero Vega, “and I become a USA citizen four months ago.”
Her talent took her all the way to the 2012 Olympics, and now she competes for her new country.
“It’s a really big thing for me come from another country and reach that goal, there’s a lot of immigrant people who want to become a citizen and reach that goal, so I am really looking forward for working for US now.”
There is nothing more American than team USA…
“If I could get that USA qualifier that’d be great too,” said Brannon.
Except for maybe Mike Knakmuhs, and his patriotic outfit.
“I go all out for the Fourth of July. I like to blow things up!”
