American flags line the sidewalk on July 4 in downtown Starkville. The annual Fourth of July celebration at the Starkville Sportsplex was much smaller scale this year, without bouncy houses for kids and no grills allowed due to COVID-19. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

From left, Betty Gill, Brenda Johnson and Bonnie Partridge stretch and socialize after an 11.5-mile run that started their July 4 in Starkville. The women began running at 6:30 a.m. and then sat downtown to eat snacks and socialize for a while. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Kids splash during a pool party on July 4 at John and Liz Fields’ house in Columbus. The Fields had friends over to swim in their pool and have a cookout. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Charles Glenn, 8, rests on a popsicle floaty during a pool party on July 4 at John and Liz Fields’ house. Charles and his friends spent their Fourth doing flips off the diving board and racing down a waterslide. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Skylar Gardner, 6, stands in line for snacks on July 4 at the Crescent City Carnival set up off of Highway 45 in Columbus. Skylar came to the carnival with her mom, Brandy Gardner, and her brother, Christian Gardner, 15. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Lucy Kate Plant, 4, eats popcorn snacks on July 4 at the Crescent City Carnival set up off of Highway 45 in Columbus. Before visiting the carnival Lucy Kate and her family went to a cookout. Next, they headed home to relax. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Jimmy Davidson starts up his jet ski to celebrate the Fourth of July on Columbus Lake. It began thunder storming right as Davidson was heading out, but he said that wasn’t going to stop him. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Alvin Jones grills before a family cookout on July 4 in Columbus. Jones was the self-appointed Grill Master. He started around 1 p.m. for the family to eat around 7 p.m. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Liam, 6, and Hayden Walls, 8, sit on top of a car while their family and friends sit on the ground before the fireworks show on July 4 at the Starkville Sportsplex. The show started promptly at 9 p.m. and ended right before it started raining. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Fireworks light up the sky on July 4 at the Starkville Sportsplex. Families watched from their cars or in clusters near their cars in light of COVID-19. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff