From watermelon-smeared faces to water-balloon soaked bodies, it was evident Marshall's first Fourth on the Square event was well enjoyed by those who came. A true small-town celebration complete with a variety of fun and simple contests, organizers of the event were impressed with the turnout.

"Everything came together so perfectly. This was a five week project – imagine what we can do next year with more organization," said Bryan Partee, city commissioner and one of the driving forces behind this year's Independence Day activities.

Though many helped, MainStreet's Henry Bradbury gives local singer/songwriter Grady Lee credit for getting the ball rolling.

"I heard that they weren't going to have a Fourth of July celebration this year, and I said, 'Nah, not in Marshall,'" Lee said, adding the next thing he did was call people like Main Street director Bo Ellis as well as Partee and Bradbury.