Annual Canonsburg holiday celebration draws thousands
Spectators were covered with confetti during the Canonsburg Independence Day parade Monday.
Members of the U.S. Army toss candy as they walk in the Canonsburg Independence Day parade Monday.
Winston Hall, 8, of Canonsburg, eats a popsicle as he watches the Canonsburg Independence Day parade Monday.
An antique fire truck that once belonged to Hamilton Volunteer Fire Co. leads the way on Pike Street followed by other antique vehicle during the Canonsburg Independence Day parade Monday.
Kaleigh Ivery, left, 6, of Canonsburg, and Markus Williams, 4, of Washington, hold onto balloons during the Canonsburg Independence Day parade Monday.
Colt Joseph, 8, of Canonsburg, waits for the next float to pass during the Canonsburg July 4th parade Monday.
Mackenzie Lacey, left, 12, and her brother, Jack, 10, of Philadelphia, carry flags as they walk in the Canonsburg Independence Day parade Monday.
Canonsburg sure knows how to throw a Fourth of July parade.
Dressed in patriotic red, white and blue garb, thousands of spectators lined the parade route along Pike Street for the 54th annual Independence Day celebration Monday.
Despite overcast skies and a threat of rain, the weather cooperated, and children and adults – many eating ice cream, hot dogs, pizza and other snacks – sat on curbs and sidewalks for more than two hours to watch more than 110 entries.
They cheered for Canon-McMillan and Chartiers-Houston high school bands, area police and fire departments and military units, dance troupes, unicyclists and floats.
Parade-goers bopped to the beat of nearly a dozen bands, playing music ranging from country to button box to bagpipe to jazz.
Canonsburg has become renowned for being a small town that throws a big-time parade – an estimated 40,000 people turn out annually for the second-largest July 4 parade in Pennsylvania, surpassed only by Philadelphia. Several of those in attendance Monday have come to the extravaganza for 50 years or more.
Bobby Dellorso, 57, has never missed a parade in its 54-year history.
“I love the unity of the community. I love the way the community comes together to celebrate Independence Day,” said Dellorso. “They haven’t changed anything about the parade. Whatever they did 54 years ago, they keep doing, and it continues to be a great celebration of our country’s independence.”
Greater Washington County Food Bank served as parade grand marshal and members traveled along the route on a float,, while celebrity grand marshals Kristine Sorenson Griffin and Marty Griffin, both of KDKA-TV, rode with their children in a classic Ford Galaxie. The Griffins and Peg Wilson, president of the food bank, were presented with baskets of Sarris candy on behalf of the borough.
Also receiving a large ovation was Joyce Ellis, executive director of LeMoyne Community Center, and the Joyce Ellis Dancers, who appeared in the parade for the first time in seven years and wore T-shirts to raise awareness and money for four local children with serious illnesses.
Some parade-goers traveled from afar to attend.
Canonsburg natives and siblings Donna Godinez, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Buddie Constant, of Orlando, Fla., returned to their hometown to visit their sister, Brenda Wacker of Canonsburg, and to watch the parade.
“I’ve been in Alaska since around 1980 and I’ve only seen the parade once since then,” said Godinez. “It’s the first time in years that I’ve been here for it, and I’m so glad I get to see it.”
Also attending the parade was Janet Pappas of Canonsburg, clad in a stars-and-stripes baseball cap, shirt, shoes and bracelets. In case of rain, she brought along a red, white and blue umbrella. She’s only missed the parade once, while recovering after heart surgery.
Patriotic?
She smiled.
“I’ve been red, white and blue since my son joined the Navy 24 years ago. I went out and bought a lot of red, white and blue,” said Pappas, whose son, Jason, is a chief petty oficer stationed in Maryland. “I just enjoy this parade every year, and how it brings everybody out and celebrates our country.”
Lily Bell, 4, acompanied her mother, Kayla Fischer of Cecil, to the parade.
Lily was decked out in a patriotic tulle tutu her aunt made for her and a white t-shirt adorned with blue and red stars.
“She just has to have a Fourth of July outfit,” said Fischer. “It’s our favorite holiday and we love this parade. It’s a great family event.”
Canonsburg Fourth of July celebration kicked off with the 32nd annual Whiskey Rebellion 5K Race, sponsored by the Canon-McMillan Cross Country Boosters.
Festivities continued throughout the day, with free activities, swimming at Canonsburg Town Park and fireworks.