Community shows love for America at Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade – Greeley Tribune

Reagan Hendrick, 2, of Greeley waves at tractors as they pass by the parade route during the Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade on 10th Avenue in Greeley on Thursday. (Stephanie Burchett/For the Tribune)

The Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade remains a living tradition that the community strives to keep alive.

The parade in downtown Greeley began at 9 a.m. at Cranford Place and headed north along 10th Avenue down to 5th Street. More than 120 floats, groups, bands and other participants streamed through the streets for the 102nd annual event.

The packed parade brought together families of all generations in red, white and blue garb, from newborns to grandparents, groups of friends from the University of Northern Colorado, visitors to Greeley and even several pets. No matter where they came from or who they were with, the crowd had one thing in common: a love of the Fourth of July and this annual community event.

Although the Stampede parade is one of the largest Independence Day parades in the state, participants can feel the small-town community atmosphere of the event, said community member Lexi Minjarez.

Minjarez and her family celebrated their first visit to the Stampede Rodeo and their first Stampede Independence Day Parade because they always hear good things about the holiday. And since so many people from Greeley come to celebrate their country, Minjarez thought they should, too.

“It’s a healthy tradition,” Minjarez said.

The Minjarezes were most excited to see the more than 20 longhorns appear. Others joined in, cheering and taking photos of the animals as they signaled the start of the parade.

Stampede committee members, Greeley City Council members, Weld County commissioners and local law enforcement marched through the route early. The large parade was very well attended and participating businesses ranged from radio stations, welding companies and healthcare facilities to agricultural operations, sports teams, schools and more.

Cool rides zipped through the waving and cheering crowd, including more than 20 Corvettes, go-karts, vintage John Deere tractors, semi-trailers and Greeley city street sweepers.

The festive crowd, especially the children, went wild for the decorative vehicles, smiling faces, good music and, most importantly, the free treats that rained down on them. Children lined the streets eagerly waiting to grab candy, bags, mugs, necklaces and more from dozens of shops.

A handful of local and national bands, dance groups and cheerleaders performed while marching in the parade, which lasted just under two hours.

Angela Martinez of Aurora, another newcomer to the parade, and her family members, some from LaSalle, watched proudly as the Colorado Masonic Band Camp paraded by playing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Martinez’s daughter, who joined the band four days ago, quickly learned the routine and jumped at the exciting opportunity to be in the parade.

The crowd was packed to capacity and gave a standing ovation as they had the opportunity to show their appreciation to the veterans and soldiers celebrating American independence. Grinning Korean War veterans who served from 1950 to 1953 held a sign that read, “Freedom is not free.”

The Stampede runs daily through Sunday with concerts, carnivals, rodeo events and more.

For more information and tickets, visit greeleystampede.org.