Town celebrates Fourth

Staff photo: Eamon Scarbrough

Leonardo Diangson and William Lampkins check on their food at a Fourth of July picnic at City Park.

The Fourth of July is a day meant to celebrate the United States’ independence, and while fireworks are one of the most popular ways to celebrate, the daytime lets families and friends celebrate their freedoms and presents them with an opportunity to be together.

Several groups were gathered in parks and yards across Portales to eat and socialize, each doing so in honor of Fourth of July.

Grilling

Leonardo Diangson was preparing two grills full of chicken at City Park with several other members of the area’s Filipino community.

“We’re all about getting together and just celebrating whatever needs to be celebrated. As long as we’re together, we’re happy. That’s the essence of being independent,” he said.

According to Diangson, the large group was gathered to celebrate what many people currently do not have: Freedom.

“Most of us being immigrants, we actually appreciate that more, I guess, than the average joes. We’re here, and we’re really happy with what we’re getting, We’re here to live the American dream, basically,” he said.

William Lampkins, who was also at the picnic, said that he was thankful to be around his family and to have the opportunity to live in a tight-knit community.

“That’s always nice. It’s better than a lot of the big cities out there, and all of the crime that’s been happening recently in the news. It’s always nice to gather around family and know that they’re still good, still happy to be alive,” he said.

Tradition

Wayne Lunceford, 7, who was also attending the picnic at City Park, was spending his Fourth of July not only celebrating freedom but also celebrating his heritage.

Lunceford, who is Filipino, said he that he was celebrating the holiday with his family and friends by eating traditionally Filipino food.

Two such friends are Miles and Gabriel Bond, 5 and 7, respectively, who said they love the Fourth of July because they get to see fireworks.

“They are so cool and you feel excited when you see them,” agreed Lunceford.

Gabriel said he was most excited to see the great colors that come with fireworks and that he likes the twisty ones the most.

He was also celebrating with Cindy Eunsil, who was excited equally about fireworks and freedom.

“Freedom is being allowed to go to the store or go wherever you want or move so you can learn new things,” said Euncil.

Lunceford agreed that it was about being able to go wherever and celebrate however.

“Freedom is getting to do what you want,” said Lunceford. “It is definitely not a bad thing.”

Family

Esquipulita Encinias, who was celebrating Independence Day at her home, chose to spend the day surrounded by her family.

Encinias’ children and grandchildren were gathered in her front yard. The youngest children played on a Slip ‘n’ Slide while the adults relaxed in the shade.

“Freedom means a lot to me, like being free from all of the stuff that I want to be free from. I like my family to be together. I’ve been in America all of my life,” she said.

According to John Flores, who was also in attendance, Fourth of July is a day to “celebrate our independence and the history of our country, and to try to pass that on to our kids, try to give them a little bit of an idea of what it all means. It’s not just about the fireworks, it’s about celebrating our way of life.”

Swimming

Missy Sharp, who hosted a pool party at her house, said that she celebrates Fourth of July for the troops that fight for United States’ freedom.

Sharp’s sister Wendy Harrington was also at the party, and said that the Fourth of July is what the United States stands for.

Wendy’s husband Chuck Harrington, who served in the military, said that his reasons for celebrating the Fourth of July are severalfold, including the freedom to be with his family and the opportunities he has had to be who he “wanted to be.”

His favorite part of the day is spending time with his family and enjoying their company, he said.

Staff Writer Anna George contributed to this report.