TUPELO – It was just another day at the beach in the All-America City.

Instead of having residents pack up and head to the Gulf Coast, the beach was brought to the city.

Several truck loads of sand were dumped in Ballard Park for the All- America Beach Party that was held on Saturday, and hundreds of people attended the event that included four-on-four sand volleyball tournament.

The beach party was separate from the annual Ballard Park Fourth of July celebration.

Free to the public, the park party had something for everybody. With temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s, heat didn’t seem to be an issue for park patrons. Food vendors, inflatable water slides, a skate demonstration and a talent contest were some of the activities at the park to keep people occupied until the big fireworks show.

Picnicking families also peppered the Ballard Park lawn.

Among them were Amy Thomas and her two sons, Jeremy, 4, and Kyle, 6, who tossed sand high in the air, letting it trickle down on their brown and blonde mops.

“Boys, stop throwing that sand!” she yelled at her boys. “Look at them – they are in dirt heaven. They love to play in the dirt, so I guess I’ll just have to deal with the sand when we get home. It’s not everyday they get to go to the beach without leaving Tupelo.”

Big mess, no problem

For a while the Thomases were the only children taking advantage of the imported beach, but soon several others were digging holes, building castles and just throwing sand around.

“They’re having so much fun, I’m not even bothered by the mess they’re making of themselves,” said Charlene Gibson, of Aberdeen. “Nothing a lot of water can’t fix. We wanted to go a real beach somewhere this year, but funds have been low. So this gives the kids a chance to have a beach experience, even if it is in the middle of Ballard Park. Look at them – they don’t care.”

While the children played, the adults enjoyed the musical entertainment. The line-up included Stone Lizards, All-America City Talent contest winners, John Milsted, Margarita Beach and the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra and Community Chorus.

A 20-minute fireworks show wrapped up the events.

Contact Danza Johnson at (662) 678-1583 or danza.johnson@djournal.com.