4th of July Parade
by Louise Eady
The 4th of July is a special time in Oxford. In addition to the festivities on the 4th, there is an annual community picnic at Old Church on the evening of the 3rd, sponsored by the Oxford Historical Society and Oxford Lion’s Club. The picnic fills us with lots of good food, wonderful fellowship, and usually a very enjoyable music program. Then the next day is our 4th of July parade, with music, food, and celebration down at Old Church afterward. In the evening there are fireworks sponsored by the City of Covington.
The parade is on the morning of the 4th and the excitement rises when you begin to hear the sirens in the distance. Our extended family gathers with friends on the grass in front of our son’s house. The parade arouses all kinds of feelings in me. I want to laugh and cry…it’s so special and so “small town.” I grew up in a city with large parades through the downtown with big bands and elaborate floats, and I can say that to me our small town Oxford parade is much more fun. I love to watch the children squeal with fear and delight when the fire engines and police cars come by with sirens and horns blasting. Since we are the only parade in the county (and even the surrounding ones), we attract floats and fire and police departments from other towns as well. Folks from businesses and churches wave to us from their floats, throwing candy to the kids. We see friends, relatives, and people we don’t know riding and walking by. Anyone can join in the fun.
I remember in years past, our nieces riding
their bikes, our teenaged sons riding in a Chevrolet convertible with a huge
flag waving, and my mother-in-law waving from a church float. Our young grandchildren rode with us one year
in the old Oxford fire truck and threw candy.
Beauty queens and County dignitaries alike join us on this day. Cars, trucks, wagons, motorcycles, and
bicycles (anything with wheels) go by.
Even the Shriners show up sometimes with their funny cars. There is Uncle Sam and the Grand Marshalls, who
are citizens we want to recognize for their contributions to our town. The local veterans, who are not so young,
march bravely by with the flag – even after walking for miles. The politicians come, shaking hands and
handing out cards. You can certainly tell
when it’s an election year.
And then, finally, there are the horses, leaving their calling cards on the road. Huge, beautiful creatures galloping by with their riders waving. We have waited for them. We love them.
I can’t wait until next year!!
And then, finally, there are the horses, leaving their calling cards on the road. Huge, beautiful creatures galloping by with their riders waving. We have waited for them. We love them.
I can’t wait until next year!!