The Fourth of July parade in Cannon Beach may have been better than ever, bigger than ever, according to Nancy Teagle, an organizer of the parade and member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

But   for all the patriotic pride and star-spangled excitement, all the dazzlingly decorated floats and colorful costumes, all the walkers bearing flags and banners 5-year-old Emelio Tates favorite part of the parade came at the very end.

Thats when more people started coming to this lemonade stand, said Tate, a Cannon Beach resident.

At around 11 a.m. roughly the same time the first parade participants set off northward along Spruce Street toward the crowds eagerly awaiting them Tate and his mother, Andrea Mace, were readying his raspberry-lemonade stand near Hemlock and Gower streets, across from the Cannon Beach Gallery, which Mace runs.

In previous years, Mace and her colleagues have represented the Cannon Beach Arts Association in the citys Fourth of July parade. This year, though, she just wanted to help her son sell his lemonade.

With drinks priced at $1 a glass and, later on, at a two-for-one bargain price Tate raked in $15, which he intends to spend at a toy store on something fabulous, Mace said.

Celebrate!

A sea of stars and stripes and wholesome Americana stretched from downtown to midtown beginning on North Spruce Street, wrapping around Third Street, continuing south along Hemlock Street and ending in front of American Legion Post 168.

Hundreds of parade-goers vying for sidewalk space along the parade route were decked out in red, white and blue apparel and face paint. Some wielded Old Glory miniatures, sparkling streamers and other symbols of national celebration.

American Legion members led the parade, trailed by Cub Scout Pack 540 and followed by Grand Marshal Barbara Johnson and Honorary Grand Marshal James B. Thayer Sr.

Locals dressed up as Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty and Captain America accompanied dozens of floats and contingents representing the city of Cannon Beach, the police and fire departments, local businesses, organizations and homeowners associations. Random walkers, some with their dogs in tow, also just represented themselves.

Throughout the festivities, handfuls of candy Twizzlers, Starburst, Gobstoppers and buckets of saltwater taffy rained down upon spectators.

This is exactly why 8-year-old Danica Olsen, in town with her dad, Mike Olsen; her mom, Melanie Olsen; and her brother Joe Olsen, 11, from Gig Harbor, Wash., wanted to see the parade: They throw stuff at you.

Outsider perspective

Portland couple Nicole Kondra and Yannis Ferber drove a smart car in the parade on behalf of Martin Hospitality. Kondras brother is Ryan Snyder, president of the company.

Ferber, who is originally from France, had never seen an American parade before.

It was great (to be in the Cannon Beach parade) because one thing we dont have in France is patriot(s), he said, noting that French citizens tend not to wear clothing that advertises their home country. Theres something very special about (the) U.S, Ferber said.

The parades he is used to tend to involve the French army marching during Bastille Day on July 14.

There is always trouble on Bastille Day, he said. On Americas Independence Day in Cannon Beach, there is no (fighting).