MARION — After a year off, the Marion Independence Day Parade came back in a big way on the sunny morning of July 5.

“I think this is the largest parade I’ve organized,” organizer Donna Hemphill said.

The parade featured trailers full of candy-tossing community members, classic cars, tractors and a few horses. A float driven by the Friends of Jack held a band of superheroes — and won the prize for best in parade.

“I think it went very well,” Hemphill said. “I’m very pleased.”

Fellow organizer Jody Dickerson said this year, more than many, the community seemed eager to participate in the parade.

“Oh it was awesome — we saw a lot of excitement,” he said. “A great opportunity to get out.”

Following the parade, Marion Town Administrator Jay McGrail took the stage to thank Hemphill for organizing the parade, which he wasn’t too confident was going to happen this year.

“I really wasn’t sure if we were going to have this parade a few months ago,” McGrail said. “But I’ll tell you what — Donna wasn’t going to let it happen.”

But Hemphill and Dickerson said the parade wouldn’t have come together without the help of all the community members and town officials who helped organize and set up on the morning of the parade.

“Without these guys, we definitely couldn’t do it,” Hemphill said.

Thanks to their help, Marion’s parade was able to bring back it’s Independence Day parade.

“Americana at its best,” Dickerson said.