Viola Head will be honored as the Grand Marshal of the 2013 Fourth of July Parade at Meeksville on Thursday. Head is one of the senior members of the Meeksville community and has the respect and admiration of the members of the community and of all who know her, said Alfred Alloway, a former chief of the sponsoring Meeksville Volunteer Fire Department.

“Mrs. Viola moved down here to Meeksville when Mr. Meeks first started to sell his land,” Alloway said. “She’s been here as long as most people can remember.”

Head will ride in a place of distinction in the parade that is expected to rival last year’s parade in participation and attendance.

“The Fourth of July Parade honors our veterans and all of those who are serving our country,” Alloway said. “And, it honors those who serve our communities every day – our law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders – all of those who keep us safe and secure our freedoms.”

“The Fourth of July celebrates America and we invite everyone to come to Meeksville on Saturday,” he said. “We’ll parade and have a good time.”

The Fourth of July Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Lineup will begin at 9 a.m. at the Meeksville Fire Department on Pike County Road 7714 just off U.S. Highway 231 south of the Montgomery County line.

Following the parade, everyone is invited to enjoy the food and festivities at the Harmony/Meeksville Park.