Baby shows and Independence Day have formed a lasting partnership, like popcorn and movie theaters. With children blazoned with red, white and blue, these baby shows offer a glimpse of America.

There’s the bashful boy hiding his face against his mother’s shirt. There’s the bubbly girl waving to her family. 

Grandma smiles and coaches from the crowd, pointing to her mouth to coax a smile. There are parents yearning for first-place validation and social media posts hanging in the balance.

Baby shows were included in the Fourth of July celebrations in McMinnville, Morrison and Midway on Thursday. See page 2C for pictures of the winners.

Participants in McMinnville’s baby show, the Mr. and Miss Stars and Stripes Pageant, were treated to a visit from the grandest statewide pageant winner of them all, Miss Tennessee Brianna Mason.

The crown is new to Mason, who became the first African-American to capture the Miss Tennessee title when she won the pageant June 29 in Knoxville. Mason, 23, is a first-grade teacher in Murfreesboro and a Nashville native. She was second-runner-up in last year’s pageant.

McMinnville’s celebration also featured a watermelon drop from the top of a firetruck ladder. Mayor Ben Newman said firefighters were successful in landing a watermelon on top of a toy firetruck.

“If they’re that accurate with a watermelon, they must be pretty accurate with a water hose,” said Newman, whose children participated in the Yankee Doodle Parade.

In Morrison, Mayor Sue Anderson said the Fourth of July celebration just dodged an afternoon shower with its 3:45 p.m. start time.

“The rain cooled it down and brought in a nice breeze,” said Anderson. “Overall, it was a great day for the town of Morrison. We had delicious food, a lot of pretty babies and the fireworks were just great. We had a good time and we hope everyone comes back next year.”

Bingo at 25 cents a round is always a big hit in Morrison, along with the popular cakewalk.