Fourth of July.....About Small Town Parades

Seguin's Fourth of July parade is touted as the largest small town parade in Texas with an estimated 10,000 or so spectators lining Austin Street to watch it. Parade participants arrive early to stage their floats, cars, horses or bands along the side streets as they wait for their cue to get in line and move down the parade route.

An enterprising pair set up a lemonade booth in their front yard to sell lemonade to the parade folks waiting patiently in front of their house. Even early in the day, the sun is very hot in central Texas.

As it gets closer to 10:00, the official start time of the parade, folks crowd the sides of the street, waiting with anticipation.

With just minutes to go, I begin to scan the sky for the traditional fly-by....

Here they come! Two planes fly low over the parade route, signaling that it is ready to begin.

Here comes the motorcycle policemen, leading the parade, followed by the color guard and the mayor.

The Seguin Matador band is ready to march, as soon as they get the signal.

And so, the largest small town parade in Texas gets under way.