The Waterford High School Marching Band participates Thursday evening in the Beverly-Waterford Homecoming Parade. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

WATERFORD – Even with an extreme heat warning in effect, many people lined the route for the annual Beverly/Waterford Homecoming parade, kicking off a long weekend of events themed around the nation’s 250th birthday.

The parade stepped off from Waterford Elementary School around 5:30 p.m. and proceeded to Dodge Park in Belpre, where games, rides, music and more will be set up for the annual homecoming, culminating in Saturday night’s fireworks display behind Fort Frye High School.

Sam Clark and Friends performed Thursday night.

Friday’s activities include a garden tractor pull starting at 6 pm., with the Matt Hansell Band taking the stage from 7-10 p.m.

On Saturday, Dodge Park opens at noon, with the Best Pie in Town contest, followed by the King of the Asphalt Tractor Pull at 1 p.m. and free children’s rides until 2 p.m. The hot dog-eating contest is set for 4 p.m., with music by Jesse Lang and friends from 5-8:30 p.m

The lifeguards and staff from the Beverly and Waterford Community Pool pause for a photo prior to the Beverly-Waterford Homecoming Parade Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Each day, there will also be food, bingo, games, children’s carnival rides and a raffle at the end of the evening.

Brynlee Miller of Waterford enjoys the Beverly-Waterford Homecoming Parade Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Andy Ball, left, and Brad Webb prepare food at Dodge Park for the Russell Chadwick American Legion Post 389 at the start of the Beverly-Waterford Homecoming Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Marci Dudley makes some last-second adjustments to the float for the Waterford Commercial & Savings Bank before the Beverly-Waterford Homecoming Parade Thursday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Jaxson Tullius prepares to throw candy Thursday during the Beverly-Waterford Homecoming Parade. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

The Waterford High School Marching Band participates Thursday evening in the Beverly-Waterford Homecoming Parade. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)