The Patriotism Is Contagious In Towson At Annual 4th Of July Parade
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- The American flag flies high in Towson as hundreds take to the streets for the city's annual Fourth of July parade.
Christie Ileto has more on the festivities.
American flags fly Thursday in Towson, while hundreds pack the street to celebrate America's 237th birthday.
Holocaust survivor Deli Strummer leads the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, kicking off the festivities of patriotic floats, old American cars, liberty tunes and fire trucks marching its way down Washington Avenue.
"We're having a great time. It's our 40th year coming," said Bill Meyers, spectator.
It's Fourth of July, and Meyers has one of the best seats in the house.
Tunes echo through downtown, and to young children watching from the curb, it's patriotism at its most basic form.
Reporter: "Anything you like the most that you've seen so far?"
Spectator: "The fire trucks."
The sights and sounds of the Fourth of July parade in Towson always draw out big crowds, but many parents hope their children walk away with an even deeper message.
"We try and make sure that they understand it's really a great thing to be an American," said Alicia Matesa, parent.
For adults, it's about remembering the fallen, while celebrating the present.
"He really enjoyed seeing all the people wearing the red, white and blue, which we've been talking about for days," said John Caine, parent.
Caine is showing his young son, Alexander, beyond the hallmark festivities of parades and fireworks, stars and stripes are the spirit of the USA.
These parades are pretty expensive to produce, costing tens of thousands of dollars. Those costs are covered through donations.
And like every year, volunteers--known as the "Bucket Brigade"--collected bills and coins to help support next year's parade.
