The 10 a.m. parade entertained crowds along the route with rousing patriotic pieces by the Palisade High School marching band. Those on the route was entertained by the various floats, including “flying canoes,” and a Star-Spangled Banner unicyclist zipping back and forth.
“Uncle Sam,” dressed in a red white and blue uniform and top hat, walked and greeted the crowds watching from the sidewalks.
Street construction on Iowa Avenue required the first leg of the parade to march on Peach Avenue heading north to 3rd Street. MC Ron Koss narrated the parade as it passed 3rd and Main Street downtown. Amtrak sped by at 10:35 a.m.
Immediately after the parade, parade watchers lined up in Veteran’s Memorial Park for a free BBQ lunch and to visit crafts and food booths. Free ice cream, donated by Meadow Gold, was served by Palisade Lions Club members. The town operated a wine and beer garden.
The crowds in the park heard spirited renditions of favorite patriotic songs performed by the young men’s chorus from St. Mary’s Academy & College in Kansas. Between songs, jugglers performed, standing on the top of the shoulders of others.
The winners and cash prizes for the Rubber Ducky Race were announced by Penny Prinster. The 120 Duckies were purchased for $3 each, and released on the river July 1. Proceeds go to the nonprofit Altrusa.
Parade participants included the Palisade and East Orchard Mesa Fire Departments, Palisade Police, Clark’s Orchards, Varaison Vineyards, Palisade 4-H, First Baptist Church, as well as the Frontier Belles horseback Sidesaddlers of Grand Junction. One of the political candidates marched in the parade. Vendors in the park included Creative Juices, and Nana’s Fruit Shack.
Hamburgers were flipped and served for free to those in line by Mayor Roger Granat and Town Trustee Jamie Somerville. The mayor and Somerville were at times hidden by smoke behind the hot grill.
A table was set for visitors to fill out a town recreation survey. The Palisade Parks and Recreation Advisory Board encourages people to express their interests in town recreation in the survey. To participate in the survey, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018ParksandRecreationSurvey.
The 4th of July Holiday in the area was quieter this year after fireworks were banned and displays were cancelled because of high fire danger.
Shade from the trees in Memorial Park cut the afternoon sun. The bust of Wayne Aspinall at the corner of Memorial Park was decorated with a colorful Independence Day party hat.
PHOTO GALLERY
“Uncle Sam,” dressed in a red white and blue uniform and top hat, walked and greeted the crowds watching from the sidewalks.
Members of the young men’s chorus from St. Mary’s Academy & College in Kansas entered a “flying canoes” float in the parade.
All eyes were on the parade and on the next floats as they moved down 3rd Street downtown. The parade started at 10 a.m. and finished at Veterans Memorial Park by 11 a.m.
Vintage cars, a 4-H farm tractor, fire engines, and a police vehicle were on display in the parade.
Zigging and zagging, the unicyclist kept moving in the parade.
Hamburgers were flipped and served for free by Mayor Roger Granat and Town Trustee Jamie Somerville. The line for the burgers stretched across the park.
The young men’s chorus from St. Mary’s Academy & College in Kansas sang patriotic songs. Between songs, jugglers performed, standing on the top of the shoulders of others.
A fiddler accompanies the young men’s chorus which was visiting from St. Mary’s Academy & College in Kansas.
Trees and tents in Memorial Park provided shade from the sun for the afternoon games and activities.
The bust of Wayne Aspinall at the corner of Memorial Park was decorated with a colorful Independence Day party hat.
