Ridgewood, NJ, Celebrates Fourth Of July With 106th Annual Parade
RIDGEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Thousands lined the streets as pride and patriotism were on display in Ridgewood on Monday.
The 106th annual Fourth of July parade, repleat with all of its star-spangled awesomeness, officially kicked off at 10 a.m., CBS2's Scott Rapoport reported.
"It's the best parade in town," said Michelle Sovack. "It's the best parade around. It's awesome."
"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness -- we wouldn't be here without them, right?" said one woman.
A patriotic procession of marching bands and flag bearers wound their way through the quaint village before a crowd that had been eager to see the parade.
Maddie Sovack said some people had begun putting out chairs nearly two weeks ago.
"It's very important because if you don't get here early, you won't get a place to sit," paradegoer Georgette Labosky said with a laugh.
As CBS2 reported Friday, some people tied down chairs and locked them up nearly two weeks before the event, lining the street with seats.
"This is our spot!" one woman said.
It is a tradition in Ridgewood as enduring as the parade itself: people determined to sit in the exact same spot, their spot, year after year.
"For the past 30 years, I've been coming to this same spot," said Bill Sgambati.
John Comeau said he had sitting in the same place at the parade for 31 years.
Folks in Ridgewood say it is but one of the many things that gives the parade its unusual charm.
"It's a small town, and it's like you're in a movie watching the small town parade," said Ann Comeau.
And, of course, everyone in town is looking forward, too, to the town's fireworks display, which begins at 9 p.m.