Fourth festivities bring people together, honor military

• Hundreds gathered in Granville for the Fourth of July parade.
• The parade had an American Revolution theme.

GRANVILLE – John and Lois Minsker showed up early — wearing flag shirts— to get a good spot to watch the Granville Fourth of July parade.

They picked out a shady spot on the steps of Centenary United Methodist Church and set up their chairs, like they've done for almost all of the 36 years they've lived in Granville Township.

The parade has been a tradition in their family for many years. They've tried to go to others, but none of them have the small town feel that Granville's does, Lois said.

Plus, the parade does a great job inspiring a sense of patriotism and honoring veterans, John said.

The groups of veterans leading Saturday's parade got a standing ovation as they were driven down East Broadway toward North Granger Street.

Organized as part of the Granville Kiwanis Club's annual Fourth of July celebration, this year's parade had more than 120 participants. Living up to its reputation of being the "mile-long parade," it took more than an hour for the marchers and floats to pass through town.

Sentinel Editor Chuck Peterson lead the parade as grand marshal, waving at the crowds from a Corvette.

This year's theme, the American Revolution, was embraced by many of the participants.

Several groups recreated the Boston Tea Party on their floats, while a lacrosse team put their own spin on George Washington's crossing of the Delaware river. The team built a boat and used their lacrosse sticks at oars.

Employees of the Granville Public Library also got into the theme by focusing on the story of Paul Revere's ride. Instead of yelling, "The British are coming," librarians used a megaphone to shout "The books are coming."

Annie Quintrell, of Granville, spent a large portion of the parade waving to people she knows.

Born and raised in the village, she's been coming to the parade every year since she was a child.

"A long time ago, my entire family used to take up this entire (street) corner," she said.

The wife and daughter of veterans, Quintrell said she always appreciates that the parade honors members of the military. She also enjoyed seeing family members, friends and former classmates.

"I get to see a lot of people we don't see every day," she said.

While Quintrell headed to a family cookout after the parade, John and Lois were planning to sing two patriotic concerts with the group Vintage Voices.

John said he was looking forward to doing a special tribute to the armed forces.

"If you don't protect (your history) you won't remember it," he said.

ajeffries@newarkadvocate.com

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