FREDERICKTOWN — The Fourth of July in Fredericktown attracts families each summer, many of whom follow traditions for the celebration that have been built over many years. Brian Knight of Mount Vernon has been showing up at Fredericktown Community Park between 6 and 7 a.m. each year, long before the events at the park begin.

“This year I waited until 7 because of the cold weather, but I’ve been coming ever since I was 7,” Knight, who is now 23, explained.

Over 30 members of the family, most of whom are from Mount Vernon, take over one of the picnic shelters at the park each Fourth, and Knight gets there early to make sure they have the same spot each year.

Brian’s mom, Donna McClain, who unloaded cases of food that would be grilled by the family throughout the day, said her mom comes from Boston each year to see the family and enjoy Fredericktown’s fireworks.

Fredericktown Recreation District Director Bill Whaley said a crowd of about 6,500 was expected for the fireworks. He said he doesn’t need to advertise the fireworks anymore, because the crowds come out each year, and Fredericktown’s event is always at the same location, on the same day.

“Everyone knows ours is always on the Fourth,” Whaley said.

He said families come from outside the county, as far away as Cleveland, because of the family atmosphere at the Fredericktown celebration.

“People can let their kids run around, everyone’s having a great time. People really like it, and really appreciate it.”

There is plenty to do while waiting for the fireworks to begin at 10 p.m. Fishing at the river, swimming at Sockman Lake and a softball tournament keep families busy all day.

It was a little cold for swimming this year, but the softball teams were out practicing and preparing to play at 9 a.m. Tournament organizer Dave Chester said the teams — which come from Fredericktown, Howard, Marengo, Marion and Mount Vernon — are church teams, league teams and groups of friends.

Chester said the tournament helps keep people in the park all day, and that ensures the vendors from local churches and charities stay busy.

“It helps the vendors out, and families come out to enjoy the games,” he said.

Fifteen games throughout the day end with the championship game at 5 p.m.

Seven-year-old Cody Cockrell kept busy all morning running back and forth behind the back fence at one of the softball diamonds, chasing down balls that the players hit over the fence.

“This is the second year I’ve helped,” Cockrell said after running after his fifth ball during the first game. “I usually get them for the guys when they hit them this far.”

Lions Club members Morris James and Dick Brenneman were part of a team of Lions at the park early, unloading and setting up all of the equipment necessary to feed the large crowds that enjoy the Fourth at the park each year. Brenneman said the Lions have been a part of the Fredericktown Fourth of July celebration since the first one was held in town about 23 years ago.

“Well, this is a community function, and Lions Club has always been a big part of the community,” he said.

James added that all of the money the Lions make at the event is put back into the community. Brats, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, chili dogs and french fries were cooked in huge numbers.

The Fredericktown firefighters were out early to set up for Bingo, which not only raises funds for the fire department, but is an annual tradition for many devoted players. The tables can seat as many as 150 at a time; they are full all day, until the fireworks.

New to the Fredericktown event this year are carnival rides. Whaley said that while tradition is important, adding new events helps keep the celebration exciting for families.

“We’ll see how it works out this year, and if there’s potential to do it again,” Whaley said of the new rides.

As families filled the bleachers and picnic tables, the weather didn’t seem to matter.

“It seems like it rains a lot of years,” Knight said. “But we’ll keep coming back every year, rain or shine.”