Country marks 239th

Parades, fireworks, naturalization ceremonies, eating contests and music ushered in the Fourth of July as the United States marked 239 years as an independent nation Saturday. Here were some highlights of Independence Day celebrations:

Obama honors military

President Barack Obama said U.S. service members make it possible to enjoy the “greatest blessings” in the greatest country on Earth.

He said “freedom is not free” but is paid for by all the men and women of the military, including those who blanketed the White House South Lawn for a concert in their honor by Bruno Mars.

Obama spoke minutes before the annual Fourth of July fireworks lit up the night sky over the National Mall. He was accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama.

Heavy rain that soaked Washington all day forced the White House to cancel its annual Fourth of July picnic for members of the military and their families.

Still, many festivities in Washington proceeded as scheduled, including a fife and drum corps, parade and concerts on the National Mall.

The U.S. Air Force Band was scheduled to perform Saturday evening on the Washington Monument grounds. The big event was the “Capitol Fourth” concert on the west lawn of the Capitol, featuring Barry Manilow and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Teen spits pit farthest

A 15-year-old girl won the women’s division of the 42nd annual cherry spitting contest in Eau Claire, Michigan, by sending a pit farther than anyone else: 49  1/4 feet.

“I just took a deep breath and pushed hard,” Megan Ankrapp of Buchanan said. “I was shocked.”

Kevin Bartz won the championship with a spit of 48 feet and 8 inches. Ankrapp was not allowed to participate in the overall championship round because her earlier spits were too short to qualify.

Bartz said he was excited to finally beat Brian Krause, the 2014 champ, but then realized a teenager had sent a pit farther than he did.

“I look up and say, ‘Wait a minute. One of the girls beat me,’ ” said Bartz, 48. “It’s not quite as exciting.”

New citizens sworn in

Naturalization ceremonies big and small were held across the U.S.

The director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Baltimore district administered the oath of allegiance to 40 people from 27 countries during a ceremony at The Engineers Club in Baltimore.

In Plymouth, Vermont, 20 people became U.S. citizens at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site. Coolidge’s great-granddaughter sang the national anthem.

Officials say more than 4,000 new citizens were welcomed in more than 50 naturalization ceremonies across the country from July 1 through July 4.

On the campaign trail

Parades across Iowa and New Hampshire were clear reminders of the race for the White House: red balloons promoting “Jeb! 2016,” a tractor draped in a Rick Perry banner and dutiful volunteers holding signs and chanting.

Former Govs. Jeb Bush of Florida, Rick Perry of Texas and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island as well as South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham worked the crowd in Amherst, while Hillary Rodham Clinton marched in a parade in New Hampshire’s North Country. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio spent the holiday in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, as Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley met voters in Iowa.

An Oregon Fourth

The Portland suburb of Hillsboro held a Fourth of July parade Saturday afternoon that featured about 135 entries, ranging from marching bands to firetrucks and plenty of candy for the kids.

“It’s our favorite holiday,” Hope Sarafa said as she watched the parade with her family: Ashley Clare, 6; Alexa and Christina, both 3; and Sarafa’s husband Jeff.

A historic candy drop

A pilot who delivered candy to children in Berlin at the end of World War II parachuted sweets down to Orem, Utah, to celebrate Independence Day.

Gail Halvorsen, 94, also known as the “Candy Bomber,” dropped 1,000 chocolate bars attached to tiny parachutes at Scera Park on Friday. He flew over the area three times before releasing the cargo into the hands of the children below.

Deb Jackson, co-chair of the event, estimated more than 50,000 people stood in 100-degree temperatures to watch the 4 p.m. drop.

Halvorsen flew in a bomber from World War II with two escort planes attending, the Daily Herald of Provo reported.

Declaration signing

Visitors to the National Archives building in Washington were invited to sign replicas of the Declaration of Independence.

Some signed with a quill pen while others used modern writing instruments.

The National Archives – which houses the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights – also hosted a reading of the Declaration of Independence by re-enactors portraying Abigail Adams, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.