Linn Valley celebrates July 4th holiday with parade, fireworks

Samantha Huffman with son Thane of Wellsville are in the patriotic spirit as they ride in a golf cart in Linn Valley's Independence Day parade on Saturday, July 1. (Photos by Roger Sims/Linn County Journal)

Linn Valley's annual Independence Day parade has the longest routes of any other parade in Linn County. Coursing its way through a street of lakefront homes, the parade emerges by the lake development's club house to a crowd of people cheering and children scrambling to collect thrown candy.

With an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 guests and non-resident property owners joining the city's nearly 1,100 full-time residents for the holiday weekend, the parade is by any measure boisterous and celebratory.

On Saturday, July 1, 150 or more golf carts and side-by-sides were decorated to the max carrying drivers and passengers sporting festive garb in patriotic colors.

A downpour at the end of the parade sent participants scattering to seek shelter, but not before most of the vehicles - most of which had roofs – had completed the route. Equestrians Jack Herrstrom and TomiJo Hayden weren't as lucky, though, as they were soaked by the time they rode their mounts back to their starting point.

Linn Valley Police and fire department vehicle lead the parade up Timber Valley Drive.

Members of the Linn Valley Fire Department toss candy from atop one of the department's fire trucks along the route.

The excitement of the crowd seemed to be too much for 6-year-old Ava's passenger. The Drexel, Mo., girl pulled a mini camper with her SUV.

In a river of golf carts and side-by-sides, TomiJo Hayden and Jack Herrstrom do the parade the old-fashioned way: on horseback.

Riding on the Linn Valley Community Church float, 7-year-old Elisha uses a megaphone to lead the "U.S.A." chant.

A few owners of classic cars, like this customized beauty, braved the chance of rain to take their rides out on the street.

Below is a gallery of more photos from the parade. Feel free to click and copy the photos for personal use.