Participants and spectators did not let the rain dampen the patriotic spirit
By Carolyn Reid
After weeks of praying for rain in the area, the downpours came the morning of Saturday, July 1, just hours before the annual Fourth of July parade, scheduled by Pendleton County Tourism for that afternoon, was to begin.
As time crept toward the 1 p.m. line-up, only two police cars were in place, making for some nervous tourism members; however, by 1:15, the vehicles and floats were turning onto Fairground Road in a fairly steady flow, bringing on the makings of a solid Fourth of July parade.
Melanie Hartzel of the tourism council counted approximately 40 entries in this year’s event: floats, UTV/Rail buggies, two horses and a semi along with “lots of emergency management vehicles and floats.” A few community organizations and businesses were represented.
Pendleton County Search and Rescue worked the parade itself and also blocked the main intersection in town for the parade to pass, and people lined the streets, their kids with bags, buckets, pockets, whatever held candy, waiting for those in the passing vehicles to toss out goodies.
Dogs just enjoyed the excitement and attention a parade can bring. They think the festivities are for them. Who are we to argue?