Mounds held their annual fish fry and the Mounds Parent Teacher Organization held its first annual carnival, which was followed that evening by a fireworks show put on by the Town of Mounds.
The Sapulpa Herald spoke to one of the organizers, Michael Pounds, who is pastor of Mounds Community Church, and serves as Vice-Mayor on the Town Board of Trustees.
According to Pounds, the fish fry is sponsored by the Mounds Ministerial Alliance.
“The ministerial Alliance has been doing this as far as I know for about thirty years, before that it was started by the Lions Club of Mounds, and when the Lions Club disbanded, the Ministerial Alliance took over.”
When asked if the fish fry was part of the Fourth of July festivities, Pounds replied: “it is just an annual fish fry for the Ministerial Alliance, however the Town of Mounds does a fireworks show, and this year they do have a carnival that is set up outside the football field.”
The Mounds High School cafeteria was packed, which is not surprising because 500-650 people are served each year, and this year is no exception. “It looks like it’s a good year,” said Pounds.
At one point, the Star Spangled Banner was played over the sound system, and everyone paused and paid tribute.
Distinguished guests included State Senator Todd Gollihare, who attended the event, stated he was making an effort to visit the rural communities to assess their needs; District 2 County Commissioner, Leon Warner, who cooked and served the crowd; and last but not least, Sheriff Bret Bowling was in attendance. Mounds Police Chief Antonio Porter and his wife Vandra, along with Officer Rico Edmondson, were eating the delicious fried fish.
The Friends of the Mounds Library were selling confectionery delights to raise money for the Mounds Library. Library Director Lucille Abbott said last year the library raised $400.
Members of the Mounds Fire Department assisted in the carnival, and a member of the local constabulary sat in the dunk tank. There were easels set up and one could sit and paint, there was an assortment of games, and the little children could take rides on the miniature “train.”
Mayor Keith Long told the Sapulpa Herald that this is the first carnival in several years, but he hoped it would grow. “Now that we have a lot of people that are willing to work together, I think we will be able to come together as a community. This seems to be the one activity that the entire town comes together and does.”
