July 4th Independence Day Homepage

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis ~Paul Sweeney

Everybody Loves A Parade!

Parades
Parades are a tradition in many locations around our country

Parades

A parade is a public march or procession honoring a particular occasion. The mood of a parade may vary from joyous excitement to solemn dignity.

Members of the armed forces often parade on holidays to show off their strength, condition, equipment, and skill. Many parades have floats, music, marchers, and trained animals.

Parades in the form of religious processions go back to about 3000 B.C. Ancient cities often had special, elaborately constructed streets whose main function was to provide a place for processions.

The Romans enjoyed parades, especially the processions of the performers at the circus. They also had frequent military parades, called triumphs, during the time of the empire.

Parades to honor particular feasts became popular in the early Christian church, and remain so today. Political parades were especially popular in the United States in the 1880's and 1890's.

Parades
Pete with Connor about to start a parade

Parades

We line the curbs of Main Street
To cheer a proud parade
Of reds, whites, and blues,
So brilliantly displayed.

Brass-buttoned bands
March through
sun and shade,
While we trick the heat
With snowcones and lemonade.

Afterwards we gather
To picnic in the park,
Play croquet and softball,
Till finally it's dark.

At last comes the time
We've all been waiting for,
Sparklers, whistling pinwheels,
Volcanoes, and much more.

Then, * Boom * Crackle * Bang *
Colors burst the sky!
What fun it is to celebrate
The Fourth of July!
~Paige Taylor~

Poem

Listen to the rhythm!
Listen to the beat!
Here comes the band
Marching down the street.

Hear the trumpets tooting.
Hear the cymbals clang.
Hear the big drum booming.
Bang! Bang! Bang!

Hear the rat-a-tat.
Hear the drums beat.
Hear the tramp, tramp
Of the marching feet.

See the baton twirl!
See it thrown up high!
Hear the people cheer
As the band goes by.