Participants and spectators alike enjoyed the Portage Fourth of July parade Thursday morning despite the light rain.
“It was great except for the rain,” said Sarah Quinones, of Portage, who held her chair over her head to block the raindrops.
“I’m just improvising,” she explained.
The vast number of vehicles used by first responders at the start of the parade impressed her. “There’s lots of vehicles and things I never knew we had, which is encouraging,” Quinones said. “It reminds us to be thankful for people who have given us our freedom.”
Kirt Witham, of Hobart, was promoting Decades and On the Rocks, a music venue and event planning group, respectively. “It’s a little wet today, but it’s fun,” he said.
City Councilwoman Gina Giese-Hurst walked in the parade. “It is nice to see everybody and the turnout of this,” she said. “It is amazing.”
Fellow council member Ferdinand Alvarez also walked in the parade. “It’s amazing to see the community come together like this,” he said. He’s glad to celebrate community and unity on the Fourth of July.
Portage School Board member Wilma Velazquez walked the parade route. “The best part is watching the children,” seeing their faces light up, and families spending time together. “This is a family event. As an educator, that’s what I’m all about.”
Velazquez smiled and waved to children wearing red, white and blue clothing. “Look at these families. Look at those hats. That makes me feel so good,” she said.
Matthew Fornari’s son rode on his shoulders to get a better look at the parade “It’s always good,” Fornari said. “My son loves all the police cars and fire trucks.”
Austin Moreau, of Portage, wore a red, white and blue top hat and cape. “He actually won a rock, paper, scissors contest at Aylesworth Elementary here in Portage, and that was his reward. He was waiting to try it out,” said his father, Corey Moreau.
Mike Manning, of Portage, dressed in a flag-themed outfit. “Everyone in my family served. We’re patriotic,” he said. Manning saves his outfit for holidays, with an exception. “Every once in a while, I’ll wear it at the mill.” He works for Cleveland Cliffs.
Jared Hayden, of Valparaiso, carried a banner for Light the Way, an ecumenical movement. They’re planning a July 19 worship service in Chesterton
Hayden looked around at the crowd lining the parade route. “It’s actually amazing,” he said. “I haven’t been in one since I was a kid.”
Brad Sansone and Joel Mora, who work for the city’s utilities department, saw the parade from the sidelines. Mora enjoys the Fourth of July. “We get a day off. It’s freedom. The kids love it,” he said.
“The Fourth means everything to us,” Sansone said. “It’s gathering, the camaraderie of the community.”
The parade is special. “Kids love it, the candy,” Sansone said.
“It starts the day, kicks off the the party,” Mora said.
Superman, AKA Peter Parker – and in this instance, Julian Solis, of St. John – entertained the crowd. “It’s so fun, seeing all the smiles,” Solis said. “It’s the best feeling in the world. It’s amazing.”
Brianna Petty, of Valparaiso, represented the Porter County Public Library System, whose Portage branch a few blocks away recently dedicated its new library garden. “We’re talking about the information for our summer reading program,” she said, handing out bookmarks with that information to the adults and candy to the kids.
She enjoys the holiday. “It’s a good time to reflect on how far we’ve come and where we are,” Petty said.
Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer watched from the sidelines. He’s on the ballot in November but unopposed this year. He appreciates the holiday’s meaning. “This is really our chance to celebrate our birthday and what’s special about us. Nobody else is like us,” he said.
“We live in a great place, even when it’s raining. At least it’s not snowing,” Clymer said.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
