UTICA — The village of Utica is celebrating Independence Day in style this weekend, with a free Fourth of July celebration that began Thursday evening at South End Park. The event is sponsored by the Licking Masonic Lodge, which, assisted by business and individual sponsors, is providing everything except food and drink for free.

Rain may have kept some celebration-goers away; the crowd was small and the Little Miss Fire Cracker and Master Rocket contests drew only three girls and two boys.

The 2008 Miss Fire Cracker is Olivia Rodeniser, 5, daughter of Christy and Kevin Rodeniser of St. Louisville. Master Rocket for 2008 is William Dunn, 5, son of Rebekah Zeigler and Richard Dunn of Utica.

Last year’s Miss Fire Cracker, Jamee Jordan, 8, crowned her successor, who was clad in a red, white and blue striped dress and red cowgirl boots. Rodeniser’s competitors were Brooklyn Schmidlin, 4, and Emily Dunn, 7. The judges asked the girls some difficult questions, including their favorite flavor of ice cream, the names of their pets and where they live.

“I live right over there,” said Dunn, pointing in the direction of Main Street.

Also competing for the Master Rocket title was Pierce Jordan, 6, who was wearing a red, white and blue T-shirt and bandanna. Jordan said he wanted to be the reigning Master Rocket because he would get to march in parades.

Dunn was clad in a black top hat and Abraham Lincoln-style beard, and waved an American flag. In answer to a judge’s question, he declined to be president someday.

The rock and country band Sanantone, from Frazeysburg, gave the Thursday night concert. Mis B Havin’ plays today at 7 p.m.

Food is provided by private vendors, the Licking Lodge and the Lady Masons of the 19th District, who are selling homemade desserts as a fundraiser.

A girls softball tournament begins at noon today, followed by the Walhonding Rube Band at 3 p.m., tractor games at 4 p.m. and the final Utica Idol contest and a horse pull at 5 p.m.

Also set up on the grounds are inflatables for children, a dunking machine and a display of vintage tractors. The Veterans of Foreign Wars provide a putt-putt golf game for a small fee.