Following the first full week of summer, folks from all around enjoyed the hot sunshine and fried fish at Apex Bank’s 12th annual 4th of July Fish Fry on Saturday. To Community Banking President Marcus Vine, it seemed like a record crowd. “We have no way of keeping up with the numbers, but there seems to be more and more people every single year,” Vine explained.
In addition to the catfish and trimmings, bank employees served up hot dogs, watermelon and ice cream during the free three-hour community event. Vine said the events committee led by Gary Greer, began planning nearly a year in advance for the fish fry, which is the largest of the more than 10 community events the bank sponsors.
He said each year it is important to keep the Independence Day celebration very patriotic. “The Fourth of July is important to us. We come together to celebrate not only as a community, but we celebrate our freedom as a nation. This year the American Legion Color Guard demonstrated the folding of the American Flag and explained what each fold represents.”
After the Color Guard presentation, State Representative Bruce Griffey presented a proclamation to Vine for Apex Bank being a “guiding principle that has always had an unwavering commitment to customer service and the communities it serves and the team at Apex always seeking opportunities to engage with its communities through philanthropic work.”
While music played in the background, local magician Doug Emerson entertained the crowd with a plethora of tricks to the delight of young and old. There were also carnival games, prize drawings, face painting, student academic recognitions and special guests from Hope Center Ministries.
Event goer Kaitlynn Gunn said the food was delicious, but an equal draw to the annual fish fry is the feeling of community and a road-block type gathering that feels like home. “This is my first time ever attending this fun function. While the free fish and ice-cream is fantastic, I also enjoyed the presentations and music. In addition, the games and jump houses for the kids is an added bonus. My absolute favorite thing was the magic show. This is just a great gathering to attend and I am already looking forward to next year.”
Vine said it is important for Apex to give back to the community through free events. “At our bank, our philosophy truly is to give back to our community. We call ourselves a community bank and to be in business as long as we have, 88 years, we feel like one of the reasons we have been around so long is because we love our community.”
Finishing up, Vine said, “I’m very proud of our team for delivering yet another great, patriotic celebration. A big thank you to all of our special guests this year. We are grateful that our 12th annual free fish fry was a safe and fun filled afternoon. We were also delighted to help raise awareness and accept generous donations from the community for Hope Center Ministries and their efforts to “bring hope to Benton County”. We at Apex Bank are proud to be part of this community and to have the opportunity to continue to put on this event. We want to wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day.”
