Horseshoe Lake celebrates Independence Day on a grand scale for a charming, small-town community. Located in Arkansas about 45 miles southwest of Memphis, Horseshoe has long been a popular retreat among Memphians. The lake was once part of the main channel of the Mississippi River. Many years ago, the meandering Mississippi changed its course, leaving behind an oxbow lake in the shape of a horseshoe. Hence, Horseshoe Lake. In the early years, the Horseshoe area primarily consisted of farmland. However, in the 1930s and 1940s, the lakefront was developed with summer rental cabins. Since then, the Horseshoe community has grown to 475 year-round residents, but, over the 4th of July, the lake hosts anywhere from 1200 to 2000 people.
The 4th of July has long been the favorite holiday for Horseshoe Lake residents and visitors. Beginning in 1918, local landowner and farmer Hugh Brinkley hosted an Independence Day celebration for his farm workers. The festivities included contests with prizes, most famously the chicken drop contest. He arranged for a chicken wearing a red parachute to be dropped from a low-flying plane. Whoever caught the chicken won a new pair of boots. These festivities continued until the mid-1950s, when they canceled the celebration because uninvited Memphians crashed the party, making it too rowdy.
These days, the celebrations include the Tour de Horseshoe, a 14-mile bike race around the lake, a 5K running race and a festival at the Horseshoe Lake Surf Club. This festival features the Little Miss and Little Mister Horseshoe pageant, a cornhole tournament, a cakewalk, a live auction and carnival games alongside food trucks. At dusk, you can enjoy the boat parade on the lake. After dark, the Horseshoe Lake Volunteer Fire Department puts on a fireworks show that rivals any big-city production.
The bike race and the 5K attract fierce competition among the local athletes. Many compete in these races year after year to add to their trophy collections and bragging rights throughout the year. Munnie Jordan, whose family has had a house at the lake since 1961, has run the 5K every year for 36 years, never missing a race. At 82, she still competes and has won a trophy in her age division every year. Munnie decorates her house for the holiday with all the trophies she and her family members have won over the years.
The Horseshoe Lake Surf Club hosts the festival and other competitions. The Little Miss and Little Mister Horseshoe pageant is steeped in tradition, dating back many years. Here, the young contestants - dressed in their red, white and blue finery - strut their stuff on stage to win sashes and trophies. The cakewalk is a long-standing favorite as well, where participants attempt to win homemade goodies. Newer events like the cornhole competition and live auction have proven to be quite popular also.
After the competitions, homeowners usually continue their celebrations at their own homes with a typical barbeque meal. The meat often comes from the volunteer fire department, which cooks and sells Boston butts to raise funds for needed fire-fighting equipment. At dusk, the boat parade kicks into full swing. Many boaters decorate their boats with a festive theme and line up to visit every dock on the lake. They often throw beads, koozies and other treats to their onlookers. After sunset, the Horseshoe Lake Volunteer Fire Department oversees the 22-minute fireworks display. Many enjoy the view from their boats on the lake, while others watch from their docks or homes.
The planning and execution of these festivities is a monumental task. Each of these activities happens thanks to someone in this small-town community who is willing to plan and execute it. Fire Chief Billy Thomen says, “It’s a big workday for the Volunteer Fire Department, but we love doing it. We like the atmosphere of the celebrations. It’s fun to catch up with people who you might not get to see every day.” Everyone has their favorite event, but for Billy, it’s the fireworks show.
Munnie says her favorite thing about the 4th of July is having her entire family together. She says, “It’s a tradition! Horseshoe Lake families come back every year. Even if the children grow up and move away, everyone always comes for the 4th.” She points out that many Horseshoe families have been there for decades. She says, “Once you’re here, you never leave!”
Horseshoe Lake’s All-American 4th of July
Nestled in Arkansas just 45 miles from Memphis, Horseshoe Lake transforms into a patriotic hub each Independence Day. From the Tour de Horseshoe bike race and a 5K run to the beloved Little Miss & Mister pageant, the small town packs in big-time festivities. Crowds of 1,200 to 2,000 people come to Horseshoe for the boat parade, food trucks, cakewalks and a dazzling 22-minute fireworks finale by the local fire department. A cherished tradition at the lake, it’s where family, fun and community spirit take center stage.