Derrick Miller
MARLOW — When it comes to the Fourth of July in Stephens County, one thing is one the minds of area residents — the Marlow Independence Day parade.
This year is no exception.
Marlow Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbe Ridley said, “This is always on everyone’s mind.”
Saturday, the streets were lined with members of the Stephens County community and children anxiously waiting for candy to be thrown from the parade floats.
The roadways, themselves, were packed with floats, cars and various other parade entries. Ridley said she knew a lot of people where in the parade, although she didn’t have an exact number.
“We don’t require pre-registration,” she said. “We’ve had a gazillion calls.
“The people who are always in it don’t even call because they know what to do.”
The parade began with a police cruiser with its emergency lights flashing. But numerous organizations, politicians and groups made their way around the parade route. The parade wrapped with horses.
About 8:15 a.m., parade entries were being lined up near the Marlow High School. When the parade began, they made their way east on Main Street.
A variety of entries took part in this year’s parade, from children on bicycles to fire trucks to dogs from the Stephens County Humane Society.
Ridley said a lot of planning goes into making the program a success, and this is why Fourth of July celebrations are synonymous with Marlow. She said the goals are always to find ways to improve and to get people to attend the annual event.
While the focus on the program might have been to get everyone to reflect on the freedom of the United States, the Marlow parade was used as an opportunity to remind people of some of Marlow’s history.
For instance, this year featured members of the Marlow family and the 1959 state football champions. The theme of the parade was “Old-fashioned Fourth of July Celebration.”
Ridley said there’s something a little different about the parade from year to year.
“There’s always something that crops up that brings something new to the forefront.”
