Kids and adults alike shoved their faces into cream pies during the July 4 pie-eating contest in Tlingit Park. Natalie Helms photo.

It was hot, people lined up at the food tables, and the mud volleyball players came off the court just as expected – covered in goo for the Fourth of July.

Servers at the Haines Friends of the Library tables and grills served about 350 hamburgers, close to 300 bratwursts and 140 hot…