On a scale of one to 10, visiting queens from across the area gave the Independence Day Parade in Brundidge a 10 "and then some."

Hundreds of people lined Main Street to enjoy the annual parade to celebrate the nation's independence and its proud heritage.

"The parade was definitely a 10," said Miss Eufaula Lauren Edwards. "It was so much fun because the crowd really got into it."

Miss Columbia Heather Daugherty couldn't believe the crowd participation.

"Everyone was waving and smiling and that made me feel very special," she said. "We were introduced on stage and there was a tea in our honor. The whole town made us feel welcome and special."

"And I love the town," Lauren said. "All the old stores and the antiques.

I think it's great."

Miss Calhoun County Brooke Daniels also like the "homey" town of Brundidge.

"This is the first time I've been here and I really like it," she said. "I like small towns and Brundidge is really pretty. I liked the parade because we could wear causal clothes. There were a lot of people and they were all having a good time. I'm glad I came."

The parade is sponsored by the Brundidge Business Association and President Lamar Steed was proud to have all the beauty queens in town.

"We had between 50 and 60 queens from as far away as the Florida Panhandle and Southwest Georgian," he said. "For many of them, this is their first visit to Brundidge, but we hope they enjoyed their stay and will want to come back again."

Steed said the rain stayed away and he was pleased with the crowd.

"It was a good day in Brundidge," he said. "We like to see people come together and have a good time and that's what happened. We had about 90 entries in the parade and we had just about everything that makes for a good parade. The Pike County High School color guard, cheerleaders and band led the parade and behind them we had floats, fire trucks, tractors, horses, motorcycles, clowns, even an airplane.

"We want to thank them all for helping to make the 2003 Independence Day Parade a success. And, we also want to thank all of those who came out and to enjoy our annual Fourth of July celebration."

Mayor Jimmy Ramage echoed Steed's words of appreciation to all of those who came to town to celebrate the nation's independence.

"Our parade is held on the last Saturday in June, but that's not too early to begin celebrating this most important day in our nation's history," he said. "We are extremely proud of our community and those who work so hard to make it a better place to live and work. Our Peanut Butter Festival and the Fourth of July Parade are popular events. The parade has been around for 20 years of more and the festival 12 years. We are growing other events

- the Salute to Veterans which was held Friday night, Trade Day and the folklife play, "Come Home, It's Suppertime" - and we are very excited about the interest they are creating in our town.

"Our Antique City theme is bringing people to town, so are excited about the future of Brundidge. We invite everyone to come and see what we have to offer. You're always welcome in our town."