Back in 1897 – with a new century on the horizon – Charles W. Davis and Albert J. Briggs thought it would be a good idea to have a parade for children and families.
They created the Children’s Flag Parade, sponsored by the Riverton Yacht Club, to give all youngsters a flag and present prizes in various categories. Since then, the event has grown into a day-long celebration of Independence Day.
This year, several thousand people lined up along Main Street for the historic 127th annual Riverton 4th of July children’s parade.
With parade marshal Bill Hall leading the way, the two-hour event featured local fire companies; Palmyra-Riverton Athletic Association players throwing candy to children along the curb; marching bands; and lots of floats, bikes and strollers colorfully decorated in red, white and blue.
After the parade concluded at Memorial Park, there were more games and activities for the children while others reunited with friends and family and enjoyed backyard barbecues in Riverton, Palmyra and Cinnaminson.
Among parade watchers were members of the Haggerty family of Cinnaminson, including parents Caitlin and Shaun; their children, 2-year-old Maeve and 3-year-old Liam; and grandparents Michelle and Bill Haggerty.
Jake, Michelle and Michael Cattell of Palmyra enjoyed the parade near the bend of Main Street at Fifth Street, while Patrick and Michelle Countryman of Palmyra joined their family at the intersection of Fourth and Main streets.
Festivities started before the parade, with the early-morning Bill Oliver 5K run and one-mile Run for Fun. After it came the pet pageant, the Great Joe Zaneski Downhill Race and the evening Concert in the Park. One of the highlights of the parade each year is the participation of local fire departments, who earn prizes for the best-looking fire engines parading up Main Street.
Yet this year’s parade was bittersweet for Palmyra’s Independence Fire Company. As members in full-dress uniforms marched ahead of their fire engine, officer Rich Dreby held a bouquet of flowers and got a hug from a friend: His wife had died the day before.
Diane Dreby was a 69-year-old life member and past president of the fire company’s ladies auxiliary. Her husband stoically marched in the parade – as he had done for years – to honor her.
Diane was a crossing guard at Charles Street School and actively volunteered with Bethany Lutheran Church and the Palmyra PTA. She cherished raising her two daughters and caring for her five grandsons.
“Diane was the loving and devoted wife to Richard Dreby for 47 years, during which they enjoyed their time together on their boat, visiting various marinas for the last 30 years,” her obituary read. “Diane was also known for her exceptional skill as a seamstress and had a love/hate relationship with golf. She enjoyed watching her daughters and later her grandsons in their sports and activities.
“Diane was always ready to lend a helping hand to friends and family,” the obituary added. “Diane also had a fondness for Long Beach Island and New England clam chowder soup from the Gateway. She was also a loving sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend to many.”
Michelle and Patrick Countryman of Palmyra are all smiles and having a wonderful time watching the annual Fourth of July Parade at the intersection of Fourth and Main streets.
Two youngsters have fun taking a ride on the Palmyra-Riverton Athletic Association helicopter float and enjoying the crowd of several thousand people along the Main Street route during the annual Fourth of July Parade.
Jake (from left), Michelle and Michael Cattell enjoy coming every year to the Riverton Fourth of July Parade.
Two girls wave to the crowd while throwing bubble gum to children along the annual 4th of July parade in Riverton.
The Haggerty family of Cinnaminson – including Caitlin and Shaun Haggerty and their children – along the parade route.
