4TH OF JULY IN CORRALES IS A BLAST

Corrales 4th of July Parade was fun for all

Village parade is the focus of today’s Portraits of Enchantment page, which is sponsored by PNM.

Residents from nearby cities and communities flocked to the village of Corrales to celebrate Independence Day on Thursday with a slice of small town America. And the Fourth of July Parade along Corrales Road did not disappoint.

There were several cowboys on horseback, Shriners riding around in small cars and Girl Scouts decked out in patriotic red, white and blue.

One of the biggest crowd-pleasers was Jennifer Verhoog dressed as Wonder Woman riding a horse named Smokey made up like a unicorn. She was joined on her ride with a woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty.

Thousands of spectators lined the road hoping to see vintage vehicles, and that was what they saw. Fire trucks, cars and tractors from days gone by made their way down the route.

And the spectators themselves were very much a part of the show. Many sported American flag designed hats, tank tops, dresses and bandanas. Even their dogs and other animals, both in the parade and along the sides of the road, were adorned with red, white and blue bandanas or some other patriotic head gear or tutus.

The celebration didn’t end when the parade concluded. Many of the spectators planned barbecues with family and neighborhood friends when they returned home to Corrales, Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. And many later watched firework displays from various venues across the area.

The July 4th parade is the focus of today’s Portraits of Enchantment page, which the Journal publishes the first Sunday of each month.

Kinley Warrick, 6, donned her best Fourth of July outfit aboard a float owned by her family during the Corrales Fourth of July parade on Thursday.

LEFT: Daniel Boyle, 13, of North Carolina, holds balloons as he helps decorate a float for the Corrales Fourth of July Parade on Thursday.

Dwight Thompson of the First New Mexico Volunteers re-enactor group prepares to lead his portion of the Corrales Fourth of July Parade on Thursday.

Participants line up for the Fourth of July Parade in Corrales on Thursday.

ABOVE: Pictured is Jennifer Verhoog dressed as Wonder Woman riding a unicorn named Smokey through the streets during the parade.