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The children enjoy a nice hamburger lunch (Bradford Perkins | The Natchez Democrat)

Ava Gillespie (left) and Wanda Franklin (right) serve as designated directors for the celebration (Bradford Perkins | The Natchez Democrat).

Pam Middleton stands as she plays a game with the children (Bradford Perkins | The Natchez Democrat)

Youngsters enjoy some fun sliding down the waterslide and playing in the pool (Bradford Perkins | The Natchez Democrat)

Tonia Metz helps kids get inside the bouncy house and water slide combination (Bradford Perkins | The Natchez Democrat)

From left, Regan Singleterry, Lynda O’Quinn, and Daisy Geter stand as they enjoy some fun with the 1-2 year-olds (Bradford Perkins | The Natchez Democrat)

Makayla Kuncle fills the water slide pool with water for the children to play in (Bradford Perkins | The Natchez Democrat)

Dawn Bramlett stands with the children as she helps coordinate the water slide (Bradford Perkins | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ – The Hansel and Gretel Child Development Center brought red, white, and blue spirit to life on Tuesday when they hosted an early Fourth of July celebration aimed at giving every child the chance to join in the fun before families head out on their summer vacations.

“We’re celebrating the Fourth of July early because people go on vacations,” Sue Harvey, director of the Hansel and Gretel Child Development Center, said. “We decided to have it on the first and not wait until the last minute for people to leave. We wanted every child to be a part of it.”

The event was more than just an early celebration of America’s birthday, it served as a farewell for some children who will be graduating from the center and moving on to new schools in the fall.

“We’ve got some that are going off to other schools – they’re graduating, so that’s another purpose of it,” Harvey said.

To beat the summer heat and amp up the excitement, the celebration featured large inflatable water slides, giving the kids a chance to cool down and burn off energy with plenty of laughter and splashes.

“In the past, I used to have food, but with a summer like this, we kept it simple,” Harvey said.

Parents and grandparents joined in the fun as they watched the children have fun sliding down the water slides and make some fun memories along the way.

The celebration marked a cheerful start to the holiday week and served as a meaningful reminder of the importance of community, even in early childhood. For many of the young students, it wasn’t just a party – it was a celebration of friendship, milestones, and the warm sense of belonging that defines their time at the child development center.

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