WATERFORD - Dozens gathered around the entrance to the Waterford Fairgrounds on Friday night, eagerly awaiting the approaching parade.
Spectators lined the parade route, which traveled from Fort Frye High School to the Waterford Fairgrounds for the second day of the 49th annual Waterford Community Fair.
Renna Rankin, 45, came from her home in Belpre to watch her daughter, Tiffini Van Dyke, 20, who was a part of the parade as Miss Belpre 2008.
"I usually have nieces and nephews in the parade," she said. "It's all about the kids."
The Waterford and Fort Frye high school marching bands participated in the parade, along with the cheerleading squads for both schools and the Waterford football team road in a trailer. There were representatives from several area businesses as well as some candidates for local offices.
"I liked the dinosaur float the Waterford Bank had," said Janet Barth, 35, of Lowell. "They have a different theme every year, and it's always unique. They've had a waterfall before."
Most of the parade participants threw candy to the spectators as they drove and marched along the route.
"My son loves this," said Norma Hanson, 20, of Waterford, as she watched the parade with her 1-year-old. "He really has fun watching the trucks and ambulances."
Deanna Baker, 40, of Beverly, watched from in front of her parents' house in Waterford.
"We watch it every year," she said. "We like seeing the local bands and the football team. We pretty much know everybody (in them)."
Husband and wife Norman and Jean Ewing, 74 and 73, of Waterford said they sit outside their house and watch the parade each year.
"We always enjoy it," said Jean Ewing, 73. "It's about the same every year. This year the weather is perfect for it."
"Every now and then there's a surprise," said Norman Ewing, 74. "Like this year, a clown came by and hugged me a little bit ago. I didn't see that coming."
Some of the events at the fair on Friday night included a karaoke contest and performance of Sister Act by the Beverly Catholic Church and a motorcycle rodeo.
The judging for the hog sale took place Friday morning, and the hog sale is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
