This town goes to town for July 4th
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey takes pride in being the quintessential All American Town. The heart of the small town's traditions is the Fourth of July parade -- the oldest continual parade in the country (they've never skipped one) -- celebrated in New Jersey for 121 years.
Here, firefighting uniforms lay on the grass as part of an inspection and ceremony honoring the fire department before the start of the Fourth of July parade in the village of Ridgefield Park, July 4, 2015.
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Fire department personnel await an early morning inspection before the start of the Independence Day parade in Ridgefield Park, July 4, 2015.
Though other towns lay claim to having the oldest parade in the country the distinction for Ridgefield Park is there has never been a year they didn't have a parade.
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Eight-month-old Camilla and her mom Francesca Raneli get ready for the start of the Baby Parade.
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Ryan Mielnicki,5, wears a costume in honor of his great, great grandfather who served on the USS Bowie in the Battle of Okinawa in World War II, as part of the Baby Parade in Ridgefield Park.
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Floats line Euclid Avenue at the start of the Baby Parade.
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Children march in the Baby Parade. Everyone parades past the judges and the winners are awarded trophies by the committee.
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A toddler stroller is decked out as parade float during the Baby Parade while his brother, dressed as Captain America, walks alongside.
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No. 80 Poplar Street is decked out as part of the Fourth of July celebrations. The home owner won The Judges' Choice Award in the decorating contest.
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Honor Roll students from 3rd to 8th grade were given pride of place on the grandstand where they were part of the Queen's Court for the Baby Parade and helped award trophies to the winning marchers.
Eighth grader Jay Won Sin was the "Prime Minister" and fellow eighth grader Stephanie Sanjines was "Her Majesty The Queen."
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Six-year-old Perian Abissi (L), Little Miss Firecracker, holds her trophy in her 4th year of competition in the Baby Parade.
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Chairs are all lined up for parade viewers.
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A Ridgefield Park cheerleader prepares for the start of the main parade.
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Andrew F. Ranaudo, parade grand marshal, and his wife Minnie ride in a classic car. Andrew Ranaudo is a WW II veteran. The couple have been married 69 years.
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Ridgefield Park cheerleaders at the start of the main parade.
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Town residents stand for the national anthem at the start of the main parade.
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An Uncle Sam on stilts entertains the crowds.
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The culmination of the day's festivities is the grand parade.
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A colonial-dressed marching band makes its way down the parade route.
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A parade watcher shows off her patriotism.
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Residents come out in force to watch the 121-year-old Fourth of July parade.
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A man dressed in his best red, white and blue outfit watches the parade.
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Flags galore on Independence Day.
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A woman and her patriotically dressed daughter watch the parade.
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The Hawthorne Caballeros, sponsored by American Legion Post #199, play in front of the reviewing stand. The 69-year-old troupe has won numerous awards including the American Legion National Title 16 times.
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Two young boys react to the loud sound of sirens during the parade.
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Fire department personnel, one of them blowing smoke, march in the parade.
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Beer in hand and cell phone to an ear, a man watches the parade.
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A military-dressed marcher in the parade.
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A father and daughter watch the parade along Main Street.
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A resident is decked out for Independence Day with her red, white and blue leggings.
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A parade organizer greets the leader of the Hawthorne Caballeros.
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Parade watchers cheer on the fire department.
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The Hawthorne Caballeros pack up at the end of the parade.
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Awards sit in a local park at the end of the parade.
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Kids celebrate winning the Most Patriotic award for their parade float. The group was a real international mix with their families hailing from Romania, Honduras and a host of other countries.
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Part of the decorations for the home that won the Most Creative Award.
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At the end of a full day of festivities, parade goers get something to eat at Dunkin Donuts on Main Street.
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A local resident wears a "God Bless America" button on his red, white and blue hat.