CELEBRATION: Meeksville hosts Fourth of July Parade
Published 4:00 am Thursday, July 5, 2018
By Jenna Oden
The annual Meeksville parade is something many locals make a point to never miss.
“I have not missed a parade since 2002 when we first started it in China Grove,” Julie Messic said. “This is a hometown parade and a hometown feeling. I know everyone here and usually everyone who joins in the parade, so it’s a fun thing to come out and support all my friends.”
Messic’s 5-year-old granddaughter got to experience the candy tossing, old cars, firetrucks and horses for the first time this year.
“Getting all the candy was my favorite part,” Aurora Messic said. “This is my first time seeing this and I love all the horses that came by and said hello.”
The parade is an “anything goes” affair, where anyone or anything can jump in line and parade down the road. Some of the locals can watch from their front yard, walk a little down the road or park golf carts to watch.
“We come out here every year to this spot and it’s only about a mile up the road,” Stonie Griffin said. “It’s a good way to start out the celebrations of the day.”
For the past 15-years Larry Nichols has stayed a regular attendee of the parade just to see the old cars.
“I love taking my whole family out here to watch all the classic and vintage cars drive by,” Nichols said. “I like seeing the old style and feel that the cars have. It is always really nice to come out here and enjoy the whole atmosphere.”