Cave Spring celebrates in a big way

The annual Independence Day parade brings the entire community downtown.

If it had wheels, it rolled through Cave Spring in the community’s annual Independence Day parade Tuesday morning. Everything from riding lawn movers to dune buggies, farm tractors, motorcycles, fire trucks, even a boat load of kids meandered through the city in a display of patriotism that was befitting of smalltown America.

Residents of Cave Spring packed the streets, many of them waving small American flags, to watch and dash for lollipops and other candies that were tossed from parade participants which included Uncle Sam aka Carroll Peterson of Rome, and Christa Jackson of Cave Spring as Lady Liberty. Jackson is the organizer of the parade every year.

Sue Edwards, an Air Force veteran, said she comes out for the parade every year. “It’s wonderful, I’m patriotic and this is great. Every town should do it,” Edwards said.

“I’ve been coming for years and it’s always interesting to see all the wonderful people happy and smiling,” said Laura Peterson.

“We’ve been coming for years. I just love to celebrate this holiday and enjoy all the people,” said Janice Miller.

Jackson said the parade has been taking place for a little over 30 years, always at 9 a.m. on July 4 (unless it falls on Sunday).

“That way no one has to wonder when it is,” Jackson said Tuesday.

The parade is always open to anyone who wants to participate and

Jackson said she had no idea how many were in the parade.

“Even the weather cooperated,” Jackson said. “It’s just about perfect.”

Jeremy Stewart / Rome News-Tribune Fireworks erupt over left field at State Mutual Stadium after the Rome Braves game Tuesday night.

LEFT, TOP: Colten (left) and Cabela Leat pilot a kiddie-sized car in the July Fourth parade.

Photos by Doug Walker, Rome News-Tribune LEFT, BOTTOM: A boat load of kids leads the Cave Spring Independence Day parade Tuesday.

ABOVE: Cave Spring parade organizer Christa Jackson brings up the rear of the parade with 82-year-old Ed Hendrix.

ABOVE: Madison Lotero (from left), 7, looks at the performers on the stage as her sister Avelina Simmons, 5, chats with their baby sister Amiyah Simmons, 1, during the Patriotic Party at Ridge Ferry Park on the Fourth of July.

ABOVE: Uncle Sam, Carroll Peterson of Rome, pulls a birthday cake and a little red wagon during the Cave Spring Independence Day parade Tuesday.

Photos by Doug Walker, Rome News-Tribune BELOW: Jaylon Phillips, Cave Spring pilots a riding mower in the Cave Spring Independence Day parade.

LEFT: RFPR Director Kevin Cowling drops in the dunking booth set up to raise money for the Rome Police K9 Unit and Rome-Floyd Special Olympics.

Doug Walker / Rome News-Tribune Kaiden Burk waves a flag while the parade passes by.

ABOVE: The Cave Spring Independence Day parade was a perfect occasion for a fundraising bake sale. Abby Kate Jackson (from left), Charlie Jackson, William Jackson, Christa Jackson and Maggie Beth Jackson were all smiles for their bake-sale customers.

Photos by Diane Wagner, Rome News-Tribune BELOW: Makinley Barton (right), 5, laughs as she sees Landon Cosper, 5, sliding right toward her landing spot at the base of a water inflatable at the Harbin Clinic Splash Bash.