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Posted: July 8, 2005
Overcast skies created glee, rather than gloom, as a soft mist help beat the summer heat during Plano’s annual July 4 Parade, which colorfully streamed down Independence Parkway to the cheers of thousands of flag waving viewers.
“I see lights flashing!”, screamed a young Dylan Morris, jumping up and down excitedly as the first of over 100 entries rounded the turn into sight of the audience. Dylan, with his brother Archer, remained mesmerized by the flags, floats, sounds and abundant treats handed out during the hour and a half-long parade. For parade photos click here.
“We brought the boys last year and even though they were too young to really appreciate the meaning of July 4, they loved the parade,” said Karen Morris. “This year we decided to just stay home again and enjoy the long weekend and the parade. We’ll be at the fireworks tonight and the boys are already talking about that.”
From the 1940’s songs of USO showgirls to the strains of bagpipes to the crashing drums and cymbals of lion dancers the parade featured the rich texture of diversity that makes Plano an international community second to none.
“It’s Jackie Chan!,” screamed Dylan as he leaped and tugged at his dad, pointing to the giant gold dragon that appeared out of the misty rain. As his dad laughed and advised that Jackie probably wasn’t going to be on the float, Dylan and Archer stood in stunned silence as two huge glittery lions batted their long eyelashes at them and danced in rhythm to drums and crashing cymbals. Barely had the lions passed when Archer darted over to shake hands with Sparky, the Plano Fire Department mascot.
The loudest applause was reserved for the veterans and military brigades. As the “Roadhogs,” a group of young men fresh from duty in Iraq passed by, the audience leaped to their feet cheering, whistling, applauding and waving flags in appreciation of their efforts and in support of their comrades still overseas. The young men looked incredulous at the support they were receiving, exchanging shy smiles before bursting into laughter and waving broadly to the cheering audience.
Clowns danced down the roadway followed by Lady Liberty, Uncle Sam and a portrayal of Patrick Henry, giving his famous “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!” Speech. Cool, refreshing watermelons were distributed to the crowds by a local market as a brigade of golfers carried their bags and clubs, performing a choreographed drill to the laughter of the audience. Members of the Plano City Council waved flags as they passed by in review while scout troops rode bicycles and passed out copies of the Declaration of Independence.
The parade was followed later in the evening by the City’s dazzling fireworks display at High Point Park. Every hillside, parking lot and field in the immediate vicinity was filled with an overflow audience who cheered in appreciation as the skies were illuminated with colorful reminders of our freedom, our independence, and life in our All-America City of Plano, Texas.
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