Before going to a friend's place to celebrate the birth of our nation (not The Birth of a Nation, because that's nothing to celebrate), I stopped by the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Amvets Post 2000 was host to a Fourth of July event, complete with live music, fireworks and the parents of Lauren Spierer. I didn't stay long enough for the fireworks; instead, my main focus was taking photos of Charlene and Robert, who were handing out fliers with their daughter's information to people entering the fairgrounds. In the meantime, I snapped some shots of Larry Morley and Friends and stayed for the 21-gun salute.

An updated Lauren Spierer post is far past due. That will come soon, hopefully within the week.

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Larry Morley of Larry Morley and Friends sings a Marshall Tucker song during Fourth of July festivities at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Amvets Post 2000 organized the event, which included free music and fireworks. Alex Farris

A member of Larry Morley and Friends plays a clarinet in front of an American flag during Fourth of July festivities Monday at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Alex Farris

Members of the band Larry Morley and Friends perform a Marshall Tucker song during Fourth of July festivities at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Alex Farris

Members of the Monroe County Veterans Honor Guard fire a 21-gun salute during Fourth of July festivities at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Alex Farris

Charlene Spierer gives a flier with information about her daughter Lauren to a driver during Fourth of July festivities at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Charlene, her husband Robert and other volunteers started handing out fliers at fairground entrances at 4 p.m. Alex Farris