Catherine Staggs holds the leash for Cassandra Lynch’s Pomeranian Valentino. Decked out in red, white and blue Valentino was ready to enter the Patriotic Pets contest at the Vidalia Fourth of July Festival on the Vidalia Riverfront. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Members of the band Yesterday’s Gone play during the Vidalia Fourth of July Festival on the Vidalia Riverfront Thursday afternoon. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Gracie Hale, 12, takes a moment to consider her smooch at the KIss a Pig booth at the Vidalia Fourth of July Festival. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

(Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Catherine Staggs repositions the patriotic hat on Cassandra Lynch’s Pomeranian Valentino. Decked out in red, white and blue Valentino was ready to enter the Patriotic Pets contest at the Vidalia Fourth of July Festival on the Vidalia Riverfront. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

(Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

(Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Vidalia Beautification Committee member Rhonda Havard puckers up in the KIss a Pig booth. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Addy Grace Betts, 4, waves to the crowd during the contest for Most Patriotic. She ended up in a three-way tie for first place. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Jazelle Moffett, 3, waves her star wands during the contest for Most Patriotic. She tied for first place.

11-months-old Lilly Welch participated in the Most Patriotic contest while sitting on the shoulders of her dad Robby Welch. She tied for first place. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)