Nearly 80 organizations entered marchers, horses, carriages, fire trucks, trolleys, customized pick-ups, and floats in the Webster Groves July 4th Independence Day Parade this year. Included in the miles-long procession were members of the Democratic Townships of Bonhomme (Kirkwood/Des Peres/Sunset Hills) and Jefferson (Webster Groves/Glendale/Shrewsbury). Well over 30 marchers filled out their ranks.
State Representatives Deb Lavender (90th) and Sara Unsicker (91st) marched with contingents of their supporters and both consistently received love and appreciation for their work in the Missouri House in the form of cheers and applause from parade onlookers all along the route. Heard, too, were “Woop-woop, Democrats” and “Health Care For All” chants.
The parade route started at Webster Groves High School on Selma at Lockwood and followed Lockwood Avenue, down to Gore with a dogleg on Big Bend to Elm and ended at the WG community center fairgrounds at Hixson Middle School. The two-mile parade route was crowded literally from beginning to end with parade watchers – adults, families, children and July 4th revelers alike. Gore Avenue was particularly festive with house after house regaled and festooned in red, white and blue bunting, streamers, flags and front yard parties. The street and indeed the community parade had the flavor of small town patriotism.
Other organizations in the parade included a Corvette Club, the YMCA, and the Webster Groves High School Lacrosse Club, Webster High Cheerleaders and the Webster Groves Community Swimming Pool Lifeguards. Noticeable, too, were MOMS DEMAND ACTION and PLANNED PARENTHOOD. All along the route watchers cheered and waved American flags as these parade groups walked by. And yes, West County Democrats and Chesterfield Township Democrats organizations were represented, although substantially low-key. Organizers look for greater support in the upcoming Green
Tree Festival, Kirkwood’s annual community soiree in September.
The morning parade concluded a little before noon and was truly a slice of good old patriotic Americana. Everyone is American on the 4th of July.
Submitted by Mark Kumming, WCD Member