Jul 4, 2009 1:37 pm US/Eastern
Dundalk Holds Annual July 4th Parade
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
The weather and the weekend worked together to bring a large turnout to the Fourth of July celebrations around the area. As
Gigi Barnett explains, one of the oldest and largest is in Dundalk.
In Dundalk, there's one time of year when neighbors line the streets hours before an event--only on Independence Day.
"The Dundalk parade is the place to be on the Fourth of July," said Kathi Drury.
And this year, clear ckies contributed to the high turnout.
"We've had years past where it's 90 degrees and 97% humidity and you just die standing up here, but we do this parade rain or shine," said Jacki Crandell, the parade emcee.
For some, the celebration is a nuisance but for most, it's a tradition to pass on and a chance to say thanks.
"This is the only time that we sit down and the kids enjoy themselves and there's no fighting and pushing," said Erika Murray.
The Dundalk parade is the longest and oldest in Maryland and while many small cities are canceling their celebrations because of the economy, Dundalk is getting bigger.
"I'm afraid that if we ever canceled, we'd have a small riot on our hands. I just don't think the people of Dundalk will put up with that," Crandell said.
But Dundalk's parade isn't the only one around. Bikes and strollers greeted neighbors in the city's Roland Park neighborhood, with a fire truck in the lead. It's one of a dozen Fourth of July celebrations this year. When one ends, planning for the next year's begins.
The Dundalk Fourth of July parade began in 1934.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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