Harrisville brings community together with time-honored tradition
HARRISVILLE- The community marked the nation's 250th birthday Saturday with a time-honored tradition: the Harrisville Community Days Fourth of July parade.
The parade capped off a weekend-long celebration that began Friday at Harrisville Community Park, where residents gathered for a car cruise, live music and a fireworks display.
Harrisville mayor Daniel Anschutz, who marched in the parade, said his favorite thing about the parade was watching the community come together.
“It’s great to be able to see the community coming together and celebrating America’s 250th birthday,” Anschutz said.
Fellow parade participant Cody Rowland also joined because of what the parade means to the Harrisville community. “I’ve always lived in Harrisville, and I’ve always gone to the parade and wanted to be a part of it,” Rowland said.
Rowland also said he participated to honor his veteran relatives and his grandfather, who built the trailer he used in the parade.
With perfect weather in the forecast, the long line of vehicles and participants marched through the streets of Harrisville to a large, eager crowd.
An American Legion color guard led the parade, followed by a Ford Mustang convertible with grand marshal Bob Barnes inside it.
A line of World War II-era Jeeps followed Barnes. Then, vehicles of all kinds, including sprint cars, Model Ts, and antique tractors followed behind and threw candy to the spectators lining Main Street.
Anschutz said his favorite part of the parade was all of the antique tractors. “Harrisville is known for their antique tractors. That’s always the number one thing here.”
He also thanked businesses, such as the Family Tradition restaurant and McBride Pizza, for participating in the parade.
At the end of the parade, Yogi Bear waved to the crowd and even hugged some of the children lining the streets of Harrisville.
The Independence Day and Harrisville Community Days celebrations continued after the parade. At noon, Harrisville Community Park reopened for the second day of Harrisville Community Days, during which visitors shopped at several vendors and looked at a display of antique tractors.
