July 4th Parade in Caldwell
It is the biggest small town parade in our area. It is stepping back in time to a kinder and gentler year.
At 9 a.m. in the morning we join at the town fire station and we are just about the only ones there. Then a steady stream of participants drives in. There are cars, trucks, antique tractors, horses, sleds, wagons and bikes. If it has wheels, it is liable to be there.
People start to gather along Guess Road at NC 57 and they continue along a one mile line to the community center and picnic area. Everyone finds a great seat and awaits the 11th hour.
The parade starts moving to the intersection so that it arrives promptly at 10:55. At 11 a.m. the first car entering the crossroads is stopped and the driver is named the honorary parade marshal.
The color guard lowers the flags to let Old Glory shine high as the Caldwell Air Force does a flyover to the sound of a soloist singing the National Anthem.
Our Post leads the parade and we are the first to arrive at the community center. Our older members and our families wait for us to arrive and loudly greet us. We switch from parade leaders to watchers and applaud the many parade participants as they arrive.
We host a veterans All American Hot Dog Roast and enjoy everyone's company for a few hours. Now this is the way to celebrate our birthday. Learn more
