Fast Forward: All-American Games on the 4th of July—Elwell Field, Ardmore

They are the baseball, hotdogs and apple pie of American holiday silly competitions. The sack race, with its mighty individual effort while looking like a scared Easter Bunny. The three-legged race, combining timing, leg-eye coordination and the closest friend whose leg is most similar in size to one's own. And that perennial and perhaps most American of competition—the 40-yard dash—straightforward, rugged individualism. And red, white and blue ribbons for the winners of all, in each age group.

As for the water balloon toss, if it's a hot enough day like last Monday, the loser is actually the winner, even if competing in a nice dress.