Brundidge Parade was hot time in the old town

By Jaine Treadwell (Contact) | Troy Messenger

Published Saturday, June 27, 2009

The Brundidge Business Association had promised that the 2009 Independence Day Parade would be a hot time in the old town and no one was disappointed.

As Independence Day Parade time neared Saturday morning, it seemed as if the crowd would be rather sparse. But once the beat of the 98th U.S. Army Band was heard, people came out from under every awning and every shade tree and bush to enjoy the parade that emcee Mack Seay called “one of the biggest and best ever.”

The parade featured 90 entries that included floats, a bevy of queens, government officials, clubs, soldiers, Shriners, fire fighters, horses, wagons, antique cars and tractors, Red Hatters and area church groups and, of course, Grand Marshall Jim Medley.

“It was hot but people came out and really seemed to enjoy the parade and the other activities of the day,” said Rue Botts, parade chair of the sponsoring Brundidge Business Association. “It takes a lot of people working really hard for a long time to put a parade together and we appreciate every effort that went into making the 2009 Independence Day Parade a great success.

“The parade is held each year to celebrate the independence of our country and to recognize and honor those who fought to win those freedoms for us and those who serve in order to preserve them.”

Daisy Hollis attended the parade, as she does each year, to enjoy being with her family and to express her pride in country.

“To me, the greatest freedom that we have is the freedom to worship as we please,” she said, but then paused and added with a smile. “But I kind of fond of all the freedoms that we have. I wouldn’t want any of them taken away.”

The right to assemble and express pride in country and community are freedoms that the many who gathered in Brundidge Saturday enjoyed.

“We’ll do anything for our grandchildren,” Jimmie Spikes said as he wiped sweat from his eyes and fanned the little ones next to him. “They enjoy the parade and I do, too. I just wish it wasn’t so hot.”

Seay said the crowd might have been down just a little because of the heat but it might have been even larger.

“There was a big crowd up North Main Street where there are trees and, too, some people stayed back in the shade rather than lining the streets like they usually do,” he said. “But it was a good crowd and a really good Fourth of July parade. Rue and all of those who worked with her are to be congratulated on a job well done.”

Ella Spears said she and her family stopped in Brundidge to shop the antique stores and just happened to hit it right for the parade.

“We didn’t know about the parade,” she said. “We’re from North Alabama and are heading to the beach. The parade was a real treat for us. It’s good to see a small town like this putting forth the effort to put on a parade to honor our fighting men and women and this great country of ours.”

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