Remember as a kid watching smalltown parades getting candy, loud firetruck sirens?
 

Smalltown 4th of July parades, they're the neatest childhood memories. Remember lining up along the curb and watching homemade floats, marching bands, politicians riding in classic cars, noisey firetrucks throwing tons of candy! So Americana, wonderful, I can't wait to see another one!!

I live in Bath, Maine and you could be describing our small town 4th celebration. Heritage Days not only has the parade (the largest in the state!). You'll see arts/crafts, food, carnival, concerts, etc. Come on up!

Here's the website: http://www.visitbath.com/heritagedays/

I live in the Adirondacks of NY and that's exactly what our 4th of July parades are like! High school band, lots of candy, big trucks -- can't beat it!!

You're describing our Memorial Day parade, which was followed by an ice cream social in the park. Who says Normal Rockwell's America doesn't exist anymore?

Chatham Cape Cod has a huge parade.Tons of people come from all over to see it its a blast my favorites are the homemade floats and the loud blare of the fire engines cant wait !! Happy Fourth !!

They did this two years ago at a parade I watched in Mokena, IL. They also had a Jay's Potato Chip truck with people throwing out bags of chips and a bunch of high school marching bands. It was wonderful and very hot.

4th of July parades are a special American tradition, the chance for your towns residents to gather together on mainstreet U.S.A. to celebrate our countries birthday! I like to see the old veterans marching down the street carrying the flags, still trying to fit into their old uniforms. I like to clap and put my hand over my heart as they walk past. And what about those Shriners, clowns,kids with wagons and Uncle Sam! Norman Rockwell is you and I.

Still happening in King, NC

We will be at one like that on Monday in Corbett, OR (in the gorge area). We live in a town that I refer to as Mayberry, but we don't have a 4th of July parade. Instead it ties in with a festival two weeks later. Haven't figured that one out yet.

Replace the marching bands with hundreds of kids riding bikes and scooters or being pulled in wagons, all decorated in red, white, and blue streamers, flags, pinwheels, and such, and you're describing the 4th in Sandwich, MA. It's the same parade I rode in as a kid, starting almost 30 years ago, but just a lot bigger today! The kids have a blast! But we're not throwing candy this year because last year we went from the front of the parade to the very end, right in front of those noisy fire trucks (can you say migraine?) because my boys had to stop every 2 feet to throw candy at every person. Actually, if I hadn't been insane and bought about 4,000 mini tootsie rolls (not exaggerating) we would have run out much sooner, hence solving the problem!

My hometown is well known for it's 4th of July parade. It's the World's Shortest Parade, in Aptos California. When I was kid there would be more people in the parade than watching it. The night before half the kids in town would decide to be in the parade. They would decorate their bikes with crepe paper and throw some red, white and blue clothes on the dog and you were ready to go. It hasn't changed too much, but there are a lot more spectators these days.

I have enjoyed this so much. I have seen parades in movies, but never a real one. Are there many small town parades for your Thanksgiving, or is is more a July 4th phenomena? Now I wish we had scheduled our holiday for July!

my favorite parade is at The Inman Park Festival in midtown Atlanta each spring. They have a ton of floats and bands, most of which are a little off of center. Last year they had a fire breather that was in it. It always makes for a good time. Afterwards they have a huge arts and crafts festival. We always drive over to see it.

Hyacinth - -Here in Quincy MA we have a "Santa Claus" parade -usually Thanksgiving weekend - a big parade with Santa Claus at the very end - signaling the holiday season! Come and see!

4th of july parades on fire island! flags, stickers, painted faces. what distinguishes it i guess is the bare feet, and people pulling wagons!

Hyacinth - Haverhill Mass does a parade like this on the Sunday after Thanksgiving - its the Santa Claus parade - very similar to the one Dorgal described.

My small town's parade is for Memorial Day. The entire town is there - half to watch and half to march. After the parade passes you by you join in so the parade gets bigger as it goes along. Then we all meet at the town training field, listen to speeches, patriotic songs etc. Then out come the fire trucks to give anyone who wants a ride back to the fire station where our volunteer firemen distribute ice cream and soda. All of that is followed by a field day on the baseball fields including the very popular dunk tank. I know my kids will treasure these simple pleasures when they get older.

In the next "enclave" over from us: Piedmont,Ca, there is a 4th of July parade that is just what you describe.
Politicians riding in vintage cars, firetrucks, school kids, a Funeral Jazz Band and lots of candy being thrown to the kids lined up to watch~it's all there.

Rockport, Ma. has a great parade with a bonfire on the beach after.

Chelmsford, MA has the unique tradtion of people reserving their spots along the parade route by placing their lawn chairs along the road the day before!

This year is Chelmsford's 350 Anniversary so the parade is expected to be better than ever.

Also, Peterborough, NH.

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