Members of the Marietta Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution carry flags and banners up Front Street during the America 250 parade Saturday in Marietta. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

MARIETTA – People who lived along the route for the Independence Day parade in Marietta were feeling both festive and reflective as the nation marked the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday.

“Great to be American. Proud to be American. I don’t know of any place else I’d rather live,” said Front Street resident Terry Hooper.

Hooper remembers the 1976 bicentennial celebration when he lived in Monroe County.

“All the barns (were) painted patriotic,” he said.

Washington Street resident Sue Fox said that as she nears 80-years-old, she thinks sometimes that “we’re going backward instead of going forward. Sometimes I think people don’t respect our freedoms.”

Ohio Rep. Kevin Ritter, R-Marietta, right, and supporters of his reelection campaign carry a massive American flag along Front Street in Saturday’s America 250 parade. Ritter is running in the fall against Democrat Wenda Sheard, who also participated in the parade. (Photo provided)

Fox remembers living through the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam war and the civil rights movement. She and Barbara Reeder, her neighbor’s mother, lamented the violence and anger seen in society today.

However, Fox was quick to note it’s “not all negative.

“I am really happy we’re celebrating 250 years of freedom,” she said. “God’s blessed us, and we are very, very fortunate that we have the freedom we have.”

Barbara Reeder’s son, Earl, recalled watching the parade while growing up. After moving to the street last year and facing medical challenges, he said he was “just glad to be here.

“This time last year, I was in the hospital,” he said while firing up a grill on his porch just before the parade started.

Dr. Amy Acton, second from front left, the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor, waves to the crowd during Saturday’s America 250 parade in Marietta. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Marietta resident Katie Castaras and her husband Andy brought their children Georgia, 5, and James, 2, to watch the parade.

“I used to go as a kid all the time, so it’s fun to actually bring our kids down,” she said. “It’s kind of exciting (that it’s the 250th anniversary). It’s something different.”

The grand marshal for the parade was Army Spc. Christian Ward, a local soldier who died in a training accident in 2019. His parents, Lower Salem residents Gary and Karla Ward, rode in the parade in his honor.

Numerous elected officials and politicians participated in the parade, including Dr. Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor, and her running mate, David Pepper.

“I was so honored to march alongside Ohioans in Marietta today. There’s no better place to celebrate the 250th birthday of our country than in the birthplace of Ohio,” she said in an emailed statement Saturday.

People gathered for a community picnic at the Washington County Fairgrounds following Saturday’s parade as part of the local observance of America 250. (Photo provided)

Local Democratic candidates and supporters turned out in force behind Acton, who will face Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and his running mate, Ohio Senate President Robert A. McColley. Republicans were well represented in Saturday’s parade as well.

The procession headed up Front Street to the Washington County Fairgrounds, where the annual community picnic organized by AMVETS Post 1788, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 52 and Elks Lodge 477 grew to be a community America 250 celebration this year.

“We had a great turnout, even (with) how hot it was,” said Teresa Judson, Washington County recorder and executive director for America 250 – Washington County. “We were just happy to celebrate with everybody who showed up.”

Honor Flight Columbus, which flies senior veterans at no charge to visit memorials in Washington, D.C., participated in the parade and picnic and held a regional reunion in Marietta.

“They chose Marietta to be the spot where they were celebrating America 250,” Judson said.

Merissa Carter, left, uses a fan to cool her son, Eli Lyons, held by his father, Levi Lyons, as Eli’s grandmother Chas Lyons looks on along the America 250 parade route on Saturday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Marietta Mayor Josh Schlicher said planning for the 250th anniversary celebration involved many groups, volunteers and meetings over multiple years. He thanked those who made the time special, including events on and before Saturday and still to come.

“It’s great to be together with everyone in a small town,” Schlicher said.

A fireworks display at Fort Frye High School capped off the Beverly-Waterford Homecoming Saturday night.

America 250 activities continue this week with Belpre’s celebration that was rescheduled to Monday, a community picnic at Howes Grove Park, and the History in the Park event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 11, in Marietta’s Muskingum Park.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

A Little Hocking Volunteer Fire Department truck rolls up Front Street during the America 250 parade Saturday in Marietta. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Local fresh-roasted sweet corn was among the items served at the community picnic at the Washington County Fairgrounds following the America 250 parade on Saturday. (Photo provided)

Riders on the Green Meadow Veterinary Hospital float wave as they make their way up Front Street during the America 250 parade Saturday in Marietta. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

A rider on the parade entry for B&C Ours Hauling LLC gestures during the America 250 parade Saturday in Marietta. (Photo by Evan Bevins)