This little parade participant enjoyed eating watermelon during her ride in the parade.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

ETNA GREEN — An annual event downtown Etna Green was started in 1970s when a group of young mothers hosted a parade for their kids. That was the Young ONO or Young Our Night Out group. After a while the original group became burned out, no new members stepped up and the parade stopped.

Dave Price started off the parade with the singing of the National Anthem.

The owner of the mill stepped in and a parade celebrating the Fourth of July was reborn and continues to this day.

People walk, ride bicycles, arrive by horse and buggy or motorized vehicles. They line both sides of West Broadway and South Walnut Street to Heritage Park to see the entries, hear the band and of course gather candy.

The approximate 20-minute parade began with Dave Price singing the National Anthem with the town’s Honor Guard leading the parade followed silently by fire trucks and police cars.

The parade consisted of classic cars, trucks with riders in the truck beds or hauling trailers decorated for the holiday, a few antique bicycles, tractors of all makes and models, walkers and of course the Triton Band.

The rain held off until after the parade when a few drops of rain began to fall. But that didn’t keep guests and residents gathering at Heritage Park for a variety of food options, including elephant ears and fried fruit pies, to vendors selling books, freeze dried food, novelty items and more. One of the popular spots was an area where a local family brought in ducks, rabbits, goats, miniature horses, guinea pigs, a donkey and puppies to pick up and hold or to purchase to take home.

Many gathered under the pavilion to enjoy their lunch while listening to the Blue Holler Band. The celebration will end tonight with fireworks.