Wasn't that grand?
Some years ago when Bill and Shirley Krause were owners and publishers of this newspaper the headline for Bill's July Fourth coverage usually said something about "Best ever Fourth celebration." I think he might have written the same headline for this 83rd event.
It was definitely the best one so far! Despite questionable weather and some really bad publicity about driving on U.S.-50 to get here, we had a wonderful community party. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did.
The fireworks were bigger and better than ever. The Fourth Fest committee never fails to give this community its best and we are grateful. When you see them tell them you appreciate what they do! There have been good comments about the kids' games, dog show, car show, flea market, farmer's market feed, alumni dance, carnival, and the weekend in general.
The annual parade was a bonanza of entries this year, more than 70 according to organizers Tammy Whiteside and Rose Thomason. I was personally involved as a driver of a decorated golf
Of course this is the first parade in my 30-some years as a Peabody resident that slogged along under a moderate downpour. To me that is a sign that I should not participate in this type of event again. The Daughters said since I always admonish everyone else to enter, it was only fair that I participate also. (I think that is called putting my money where my mouth is.) So I decided to do it. Silly me.
I bought about seven pounds of candy, we jollied up the golf cart in red, white, and blue, and I stuck a sign on the back that said Peabody Gazette-Bulletin so that I could be reimbursed for the candy. What an experience! I have decided that I am much better at telling other people what they should do than I am at doing it myself. As I see it, that is my job. In the future I am going to stick to it.
Trying to remember to smile and wave, toss Dum-Dum suckers, not run over the guy in front of me, and use the "ooga-ooga" horn every time I saw someone I knew is not what I signed on for as a Hoch Publishing employee. I used the horn twice, have two pounds of suckers left, and I don't think I waved at anyone. The guy in front of me had a BIG tractor so I was concentrating pretty hard on keeping my distance.
I'll be in a lawn chair in the front yard next year. Two or three weeks before the parade I will urge all of you to sign up and I will be sincere in my plea for you to be a part of things. That is what I do best. Being in the parade is what you do best and I have a new appreciation for all of you who participate.
Next year I will clap and holler for all of you and hope you are having as much fun as I am.
Thanks to all of you who were involved in our holiday event. Your spirit is truly what makes America great!
— SUSAN MARSHALL
