It was a special day at the 4th of July Arlington-Davenport Neighborhood Kids' Parade this morning.
The honorary starter was Mrs. Elizabeth Bruce, 99 years old, celebrating her birthday today. And making his first parade was Leo Wesley Fisher, 3 months old. In between were infants, children, teens, parents and grandparents celebrating Independence Day.
“Mrs. Bruce is a “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” Greer Mayor Rick Danner said as he introduced today’s guest of honor.
The 14th annual parade featured children with flags, red, white and blue ribbon, vehicles dressed up in patriotic colors and parents enjoying the traditional parade with their families.
“It’s a good opportunity for neighbors to get together for a good old-fashioned 4th of July,” Rick Danner, said. “It’s a good way to start the day.”
Cale Gray, the flag bearer along the approximately mile-long parade, said the hills were a little difficult to maneuver in the warming sun and humidity. “The flag got a little heavy on the hills and near the end,” Gray said. He and his sister, Courtney, 14, have been to every parade.
Andrew Gray, 3, was motoring in his 60s-era souped up car.
Along the way, safely led by city of police vehicles, neighborhood residents waved from their porches.
Mertie Taylor remembered when Sherri and Davy Lynch first started the parade, and is glad that after they moved, Danner his wife, Rita, and father-in-law, Alvin Howell, continued the tradition.
The Danners' yard was outlined with American flags, the driveway had scores of stars and the carport was dressed up with a tent to cool off neighbors while children were served cookies and colored popsicles and beverages.