Scenes from the Fourth

All photos by Orville Hector | Ashland Daily Tidings
Text by John Darling | Tidings Correspondent

The two National Guard jet fighters, which have kicked off the parade by roaring down Main St. at treetop level for many years — often resulting in unhappy letters to the editor — were greeted with cheers and leaps from many in the crowd estimated at 20,000 strong.

“It was just so exciting — it really gets my heart pumping,” said 18-year old Megan Hartsell.

In the theme of just plain fun on a summer holiday, people were willing to mostly take the day off from political thoughts and roar support for two young girls balancing on large beach balls as part of Ashland’s Circus and Dance Academy — as well as Dave Nourie of Ashland, who wowed the crowd with acrobatics on a BMX bike.

“It’s a wonderful sense of community you get at this parade, “ said Karen Beel.

“It’s just the huge variety and diversity here, that makes you feel good,” said Jim Sims, an Ashland lawyer.

Art cars painted up in all imaginable motifs, one as a red high heel shoe with glamorous blonde posed in it, were a popular entry.

“The art cars were really great,” said Phyllis Leilani-Halsted of Ashland, who added she’s now inspired to follow suit and turn an old vehicle of hers into an art car. “Everyone put so much thoughtfulness and heart into them — into everything really. That’s what a Fourth of July parade should be.”

“It was wickedly fun,” said Shakespeare Festival actress Nicole Strowkowski, the blonde in the red shoe, built and driven by David Crow of Ashland. “It was so much fun, the way people react, screaming and letting out the wild side.”