Festooned for the Fourth

Published 5:00 pm Sunday, July 6, 2014

<p>Monte Hamilton (left) and Tyson Hamilton decorate their bicycles during the first ever decorating party for the Decorated Bike Show.</p>

When it comes to birthday parties, kids are the experts.

Naturally, a 238th birthday party to celebrate our nations independence is no different. For some kids in Warrenton celebrating the Fourth was like riding a bike.

Literally.

Thirty-five kids drenched their bicycles and scooters in red, white and blue during the first organized decorating party to prep for the parades Decorated Bike Show. The troop of patriotic bikers pedaled behind the dignitaries in Warrentons annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July Parade Friday afternoon.

An opportunity to parade

More than 100 floats and other groups paraded down Main Avenue boasting their pride.

The bike decorating lets kids who may not be affiliated with another group get a chance to participate, said Trisha Cole, one of the lead pastors at Calvary Assembly of God and a volunteer at the decorating. A lot of groups at school and sports teams all have a float, and so these kids are all just kids in the neighborhood who wanted to get a chance to be in the parade.

Cole, along with Karen Williams and others, assisted with the decorating.

I dont want them to just be out on the sidelines watching the parade, I want them to know what the Fourth of July is all about flags and that we love America, Williams said.

Kids were weaving red streamers into their bike spokes, attaching flags to their handlebars, twisting patriotic Mardis Gras beads wherever they could, tying star balloons to their seats and covering every inch with festive decor from the Dollar Tree.

One 10-year-old boy from Warrenton, Monte Hubbert, got so carried away he even wrapped himself in red, white and blue star beads. Two babies with American flag stickers on their chubby cheeks sat in a decked-out stroller and three young girls covered their hot pink scooters. There was even a limo bike or surrey that Cole sat shotgun in during the parade.

Grant Eoy, of Warrenton, a bike guru, helped by oiling chains and pumping up tires.

The decorations were free and so was the fun.

It doesnt cost a thing either, so thats really helpful for kids who come from low-income families or maybe are homeless or living out of a car they can just join right in, Cole said.

All across America

Like any small town parade, it was planned to attract crowds both near and far.

The parade is important because it brings people to town, said Cindy Yingst, parade director for the past six years. The Warrenton Business Association, which sponsors the parade hopes people will come to town and spend their money while still enjoying themselves.

Madison, 7, and Aiden Pierce, 10, have traveled to Warrenton with their family from Helena, Mont., for the last three summers. They have seen the parade twice and were gearing up for their first appearance. Their yellow Lab, Katie, even sported decor looped through her collar for the parade.

Ive been in a parade before, but it was just for Mothers Day tea, so Im excited, Madison Pierce said.

Another family, the Glovers, traveled from Camas, Wash., for the holiday. They purchased a beach house on Digger Road last June and were excited for five of their family members to be riding in the parade.

My mom, Gretchen Glover, lives in Warrenton permanently and wanted to get us more involved in the community, said Laura Glover Wasson.

The Glovers also had a surrogate family member along with them Eider Garcia, an exchange student from Basque Country, Spain. The Fourth of July marked her first day in Warrenton and her fourth day in America.

Its fine and a great time, Garcia said. Its different. We dont have this in our country, instead we have a festival for the Three Magic Kings.

More festivities

Beginning at noon, a line of people wrapped around the fire station waiting to indulge in a vital part of any birthday party food.

Word on the street is the firefighters bought 1,200 hamburger patties and 800 hot dogs to give out. They also offered condiments, refreshments and potato chips, but no cake.

There was candy though, and lots of it.

Dwanna Williams, granddaughter of Karen Williams who helped with bike decor, was also celebrating her ninth birthday at the parade. She called herself the birthday princess and wore a silver metallic cape while she scooped up candy during the parade.

I was born at 10 p.m. in 2005 when the first city firework was lit, Dwanna Williams said.

One entry didnt make it in time for the parade. The Northern Alliance Drum Corps from Portland was running late and didnt arrive in Warrenton until 4 p.m., after the parade had ended. Members of the corps got out their drums anyway and marched down a portion of Main Avenue.

Parade results

The Coolest Vehicle trophy was given to Tracy and Donna Black for their 1931 Ford Model A roadster. The Blacks also dressed up in period clothing.

The Coolest Motorcycle trophy went to Industrial Customs custom-built vintage Harley-Davidson.

   

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