Staff Writer

The wheels of democracy keep turning because men and women are willing to pay the price for freedom.

On Saturday, Lianne Knotts will be turning wheels to honor patriots, past and present, and she is asking other youngsters to join her.

The Banks Middle School fifth grader wanted to do something to show her love for her country and to pay tribute to the the valor and honor of America’s soldiers.

She comes from a long line of patriots, who fought in the American Revolution, the War Between the States, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. So, she came up with a red, white and blue idea for Independence Day.

"I was thinking about the Independence Day Parade in Brundidge and I decided it would be fun to decorate my bicycle and ride it in the parade," she said.

Riding a bike is fun but it’s more fun to have someone riding along. Lianne thought it would be especially fun to have a lot of bikes – all decorated in red, white and blue – in the parade with her.

So Lianne put wheels to the idea and organized the Liberty Riders, a group of young pedaling patriots.

Any youngsters, from 8 to 12 years old, are invited to be a member of the Liberty Riders and participate in annual the Independence Day Parade at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 30 in Brundidge.

"We want as many Liberty Riders as we can get," Lianne said. "You can decorate your bicycle any way you want to, just as long as it’s patriotic. We’re going to have a lot of fun riding in the parade, but the most important thing is we’ll be saying ‘thank you’ to all people who gave us our freedoms and those who help us keep them."

The Liberty Riders will meet at Colonial Bank in downtown Brundidge around 8:30 Saturday morning to line up for the parade.

Although not neccasary, Lianne said she would appreciate those who want to join the Liberty Riders giving her a call at

808-4161 or 566-3984.

A bicycle decorating contest will be held immediately following the parade at the Bass House in downtown Brundidge.

The Liberty Riders will ride from Colonial Bank to the Bass House. "We’ll have adults walking with us and parents can walk along, too, if they want to," Lianne said.

There is no charge for the bicycle contest and prizes will be given to the winner and first, second and third runners up.

Colonial Bank has donated a $50 savings bond for the winner and Wal-Mart and Domino’s Pizza will furnish other prizes.

In the event of a parade rainout, the Liberty Riders bicycle contest will be held at the Troy Sportsplex July 4.