Canton celebrated Independence Day on Monday, July 4, by hosting the third annual hot dog, bike decoration and watermelon eating contests while also having a July 4th parade and then topped it all off with a fireworks show.

Last year’s hot dog eating contest winner Joel Hansen from Hamilton, Ontario, returned for the third annual contest and took home first prize again, eating 37 hot dogs in 10 minutes. The prize for winning the hot dog contest was $500.

A watermelon eating contest was also held for children in two age groups. Winning the age 7-11 age group was Will Smith from Wills Point. Some names of participants who won second and third place were not available as of presstime.

In the age 11 and up age group, Savana Teague took first place followed by Kate Wallis in second place and Skyler McDonald took third.

In the bicycle decoration contest, age 7 and under, winners were first, Lane Williams; second, Stella Nichols and third, Phynlee Ray and ages 8 and up, first, Jaylynn Ringer; second, Grayson Lewis and third, Mya Wheeler.

As the parade began, the Veterans of Van Zandt County led the procession in an antique fire truck followed by numerous floats from city organizations and businesses.

The night was capped off by the annual City of Canton fireworks show.