Canonsburg parade celebrates independence with pride and community spirit
A sea of red, white and blue filled the streets of Canonsburg as the sweet aroma of sunscreen and freedom floated downtown. Rows of empty lawn chairs, staged the night before, were soon replaced by patriots from around the country celebrating the nation鈥檚 249th birthday.
鈥淚 bring my kids back here every year for the parade,鈥� said J.T. Palilla, who lives in Maryland but used to make his home in Canonsburg.
On Friday, Palilla鈥檚 daughters Mia, 8, and Everly, 7, lit up when the Canon-McMillan High School Flag Squad came twirling down the street.
The Canonsburg Fourth of July Parade, the second largest in Pennsylvania, attracted an estimated 60,000 people to the annual community event.
鈥淭his might be the most people I鈥檝e ever seen here,鈥� said Sydney Loppolon of Canonsburg. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just great to see so many people out here supporting the community.
This year鈥檚 parade featured hundreds of floats, marching bands, Shriners and local groups, each exhibiting a vibrant display of patriotism. The parade stretched for over a mile as residents cheered local heroes and youth groups that showcased their pride.
And while hometown pride was rampant, young parade-goers like 5-year-old Levi Houston were focused on the sweeter aspects of freedom.
鈥淚 want the candy,鈥� Houston said. 鈥淚鈥檓 hoping to fill my bag.鈥�
On a day meant to celebrate the birth of the nation, Canonsburg鈥檚 patriotic display appeared to capture the fabric of what makes America so great.
A sense of community.
And of course, candy.