Fourth of July Parade draws unique marchers, watchers

Dozens of people lined Front Street in Lovingston on Saturday for the Fourth of July parade, a uniquely small-town affair heralded by a platoon of holiday-festooned children riding bikes –– with one even riding in a tiny makeshift tank.

“It’s a slice of Americana,” said organizer Kim Bryant.

Judges Gary Helbert and Patty Turnpin and a representative of the Nelson County Times selected bike rider Kim Powell, 5, of Tyro, as Most Patriotic.

The grand marshal was Ray Uttaro, Nelson County’s emergency services coordinator.

Alex Adams sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The parade included emergency vehicles, antique cars, hot rides, businesses, a couple of politicians, children, adults, a few Confederates, beauty queens and the Nelson County High School cheerleaders.

Winners were:

Best Float, Lovingston Ruritan Club.

Best Marching Unit, the Nelson Parade Band (which actually was the only band in the parade).

Best of Show Antique Vehicle, Ebony & Ivory Street Riders.

Best of Show Fire Unit, the Lovingston Volunteer Fire Department.

Best of Show Rescue Unit, the Roseland Rescue Squad.

Most Patriotic Group, the American Legion Post 17 and VFW Post 7701.

Judges’ Award, Rolling Thunder Classic Car Club.

The theme for this year’s parade was the Declaration of Independence. For the category of Best Representation of Theme, the winner was Mike Sipple.

The parade was sponsored by Oak Tree Systems, the Virginia Farm Bureau and Blue Ridge Grocery.

Other participants included: Nelson County Sheriff’s Office; Nelson TRIAD; Nelson County Democratic Party; Gladstone Volunteer Fire Department; Miss Nelson County Pageant; Virginia’s Fabulous Dolls; Trinity Preschool; Whitehead Gardens; Faber Volunteer Fire Department; Saunders Brothers Orchards; and WYYD.

Also, Bill’s Septic Tank Service; Piney River Volunteer Fire Department; Terrific Time Dance Studio; Smith Enterprises; Miss Pre-Teen Virginia Dogwood; Tiger Fuel; Ed Campbell for Supervisor; and Nelson Cable.