Wagons, bikes, tricycles, scooters and strollers filled with children decked out in patriotic red, white and blue rolled past cheering spectators Thursday during the Patriotic Parade at the SALT Block.
Six-year-old Matthew Coffey had participated in the parade once before on his tricycle. This year, he dressed up with his 2-year-old brother, Andrew.
"I wanted my Gator to be beautiful," Coffey said, referring to the John Deere vehicle the pair rode in.
Coffey decorated the Gator with his grandfather, Johnny Pearson, for about 30 minutes before the parade, outfitting it in patriotic swags of red, white and blue bunting. Coffey matched in a white shirt with red and blue plaid, and a flag vest.
"Nana and I made my visor with stars earlier this week," Coffey said.
One parade participant decorated her own doll's stroller with red and blue spangles, and ended up winning the stroller category. The judges deemed it a more clever idea — and definitely child-involved, one of the qualities they were looking for — than a stroller a child rode in.
Sophie and Will Buchanan also participated in the Patriotic Parade. Sophie, 7, pulled Will, 18-months, in a wagon she helped decorate with her parents, Clay and Kimberly.
"We've been working on it all week," Kimberly said. "My husband came up with the idea for the dessert plates on the wheels."
In addition to the plates with American flags that covered the wheels, the red wagon also had patriotic bunting, balloons, American flags and red, white and blue stripes up the handle. The Buchanans won the wagon category.
Kimberly said this was their first year in the parade, and they plan to join in again next year.
Winners of the various categories received $25 gift cards to Waldenbooks.
The parade, hosted by Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, has been a tradition for nearly 10 years.
In addition to the parade, the library also hosted face painting for kids and had the Lenoir-Rhyne University Brass Ensemble playing traditional American songs such as "It's a Grand Old Flag."
"We think children need to hear these songs," said Hannah Owen, children's librarian. "And we like to host this. There aren't a lot of Fourth of July activities for children."
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