Independence Day weekend was celebrated by dozens of local PONY softball teams by playing in the Fourth of July Invitational at Suffolk Youth Athletic Association.

The tournament, actually four tournaments with Pinto (8-and-under), Mustang (10-and-under), Bronco (12-and-under) and Pony (14-and-under), opened Friday evening. The final games in each group are set for Sunday.

All-star teams ranging from Windsor, Smithfield, Chesapeake, Greenbrier, Deep Creek and the rest of the area were in action Friday evening, as well as SYAA’s 8-and-under and 10-and-under all-star teams.

The Fourth of July Invitational has become an annual event for SYAA softball. Most teams use the tourney as preparation for upcoming district, regional, and hopefully further, PONY tournaments. For the Suffolk Crush (10-and-under), this tournament will be the finale to its season.