Aurora resident Stacy Lorenz said the only way to start the holiday with her family is to come to the annual Fourth of July parade in downtown Aurora.
“We have been here for nearly the past 10 years. It’s not the Fourth of July if we don’t come. We have to be here,” Lorenz said as she and her husband and two children settled in along Broadway awaiting the start of the parade. “We want to celebrate our independence, our freedom and everybody that fights for it, and, just the community.”
Thousands of local residents came out in force Saturday morning to watch the parade, which began at 10 a.m. and featured dozens of floats and groups.
This year’s parade grand marshal was longtime leader and community member Juanita Wells, who moved to Aurora in 1972.
“This is the second big parade following Memorial Day,” said Jon Zaghloul, director of communications for the city of Aurora. “The Fourth of July parade in Aurora is always a significant event and this year it will be even more significant, given this is America’s 250th anniversary.”
The Lorenz family spoke about their favorite elements of the annual parade.
“For me, it’s probably the high school bands and the police officers and the fire trucks,” Stacy Lorenz said. “Brody, my son who is 4, likes the candy.”
Her husband Scott Lorenz said the holiday “reminds me of family time and those who have served our country and the freedom that we have.”
“Aurora does a nice job of organizing this, and we look forward to attending it every year,” he said. “It’s great for the kids. Hopefully we’re going swimming later at the pool if the weather holds out and some fireworks tonight.”
Courtney Caccitolo of Aurora came to the parade with her daughter and, like the Lorenz family, said that it’s “not the Fourth of July unless we come here.”
“We’ve been here at least the past five years and it’s a must-do. You have to show your support for America,” she said.
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
