There was a record number of entries and what could have been the largest crowd watching for the Centralia Veteran’s 4th of July Parade on Saturday.
Parade Chair Butch Mathus was pleased.
“This was a wonderful turnout for this year’s 15th annual veterans 4th of July parade. We had 42 entries, which was a record compared to last year, and it seems like its growing every year. So I want to tip the hat to everybody that participated, and give myself a little break and we’ll work on next year. It’s wonderful that we had this kind of turnout out for the 250 anniversary of our nation’s founding, and I know our forefathers would be very proud of this.”
The Grand Marshal of the Parade was Tammy Guidish, a U.S. Air Force Veteran who is involved in several activities to help veterans.
“I am just overwhelmed and humbled there are so many wonderful veterans in our community and I am so thankful that our community celebrates all veterans especially with this parade and what they do for all of us.”
Guidish says it was great getting to waive at everyone along the parade route. The winning entries were Trinity Lutheran School, first in Patriotic, and the Wamac Little Toot train, second in Patriotic. In the Civic Division, the Centralia Masonic Lodge was first and the Daughters of the American Revolution second. In the family division, a small decorated car from Karen Bierman was first and a pickup truck with patriotic markings was second in family.
The 4th of July events in Centralia also included a car show and the final day of the carnival before the Centralia American Legion Homecoming was capped with a fireworks display. Downtown, the Centralia Carillon provided music and activities during the afternoon hours.
