Cruising for candy at the Marion Fourth of July Parade
MARION — The rain did not stop parade-goers from watching floats pass by and collecting candy during Marion’s annual Fourth of July parade on Tuesday, July 4.
Crowd members and participants put on their best red, white and blue attire including tutus and American flag ties for the occasion.
According to Marion Executive Assistant and parade organizer Donna Hemphill, there were about 50 entrants in the parade this year. This included Marion veterans, the Marion Harbormaster Department, and the First Congregational Church of Marion.
Participants competed for best in show in categories like historical, commercial, civic and more.
The Select Board and the Marion Concert Band led the parade down Main Street to kick off the event.
As the parade made its way through Marion village, participants threw out candy and toys to the crowd who quickly scooped them and enjoyed some soggy treats.
Laurie and Peter Grauer of Marion cruised down Spring Street in Laurie’s 1937 Ford truck.
The couple entered the parade for the first time in the antique car category.
“It used to be a piece of junk but now it's completely revamped,” said Laurie, pointing out the refurbished truck bed.
The couple took home third place in the vintage vehicle category.
Other participants, like Judy and John Nadeau of JNJ Woodworking took a creative approach to their float.
Inspired by Judy’s love of Christmas, the couple decked the halls of their company truck for a “Christmas in July theme.”
Complete with Christmas lights, trees and snowmen, the couple took home first place in the commercial category.
“We used to camp and have Christmas in July all the time so we thought it would be a good theme,” she said. Judy said that she hopes to do another, “different” Christmas theme for next year’s parade.
Other winners included the Marion Concert Band in the marching category, Joe Napoli in a vintage jeep for the historical category, and the Marion Department of Public Works truck carrying Marion Veterans in the civic vehicle category.
The Friends of Jack Foundation took home the “best in parade” title with a float that included a DJ, a dancing bear and bubble machine.
