By KRISTIN NEMETH / Community Columnist

On Sunday, June 29, the Town of Wilsonville was decked in red, white and blue. Sounds of children laughing, townspeople conversing and church choirs singing filled downtown Wilsonville.

Lawn chairs littered the grassy areas, community members passed out drinks and food, kids hosted football games and Wilsonville Fire Department’s engine lit up the streets.

To quote Luis Bunnel:“God and Country are an unbeatable team; they break all records for oppression and bloodshed.”

Rightfully and equitably titled, ‘God and Country’ is a celebration held in Wilsonville and supported by local churches, the Town Council, the mayor, the Civitan club and the community at large.

“I want to thank everyone for coming and supporting God and Country. This is a great event for the community. We are fortunate to have the area churches support, the Civitan club and the councils support. This event will be here year every and we hope you continue to come and support it” Mayor Lee McCarty said to the crowd of hundreds who gathered.

By 8:30 p.m., the downtown area was packed with residents, council members and people from surrounding areas.

“We are from Chelsea. We like to go to other community fireworks and Fourth of July celebrations in the area. This is our second year to visit Wilsonville’s and it’s never a wasted trip,” Phillip Jones, a Chelsea resident and visitor to the God and Country celebration, said.

At 8:45 p.m., the fireworks started. Loud booms and bright lights could be seen for miles. Children, adults and families gathered in the streets and grassy areas to take in the sights. ‘Cool! Awesome! Wow!’ remarks could be heard from children and adults as the sky lit up with beautiful shapes and colors.