From right to left, Bri Repas, 12, Sydney Postler, 13, Jules Guardalabene, 13, and Ella Verba, 8, watch the 2022 Zelienople 4th of July parade. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

ZELIENOPLE — When it comes to celebrating the birth of our country, a small town can feel like a big city.

There's no telling exactly how many people took to the streets of Zelienople on Monday, with lawn chairs in some places two rows deep for the borough’s annual Fourth of July parade.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time,” Zelienople’s Mike Hall said as he addressed the crowd. "I think this is the largest crowd I've ever seen."

The parade which is organized by the Rotary Club of Zelienople had something for everyone, as floats and fire engines made their way down Main Street for the cheering crowd.

Adel Fatur, grand marshal of the parade and member of the Zelienople Historical Society, was pleased with the overall turnout and the large crowd that came to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier replica.

“I cannot believe how the community came together for this,” Fatur said. “Zelienople is a very giving community, and it all shows.”

Fatur was the driving force in bringing the traveling tomb to the borough, which arrived Friday and will be on display at Zelienople’s Four Corners Park until July 5.

A ceremony was held Saturday to officially welcome the tomb and to honor the brave men and women who served.

“It took me about a year to get all the paperwork together,” Fatur said. “Supposedly this will be the last stop for it, and they are going to retire it in Rome, Ga.”

Officer Abbie Evans, of Jackson Township Police Department, hands out police stickers Monday to Harper Hays, 4, while Tuesday Hays and Jaxon Hays, 2, look on at the 2022 Zelienople 4th of July Parade. This is Evans' first year participating in the parade. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Harmony Fire Chief Scott Garing said his crew spent a few weeks getting things together and keeping the fire engines looking the best they can.

"Today is really one of the best days of the year for us,“ Garing said. "It's just us showing how much we really care. It's about the little details.“

The parade began at 11 a.m. with a military flyover by an Air Force Boeing Globemaster III C-17, followed by two smaller planes.

Luke Burr, 9, of Troop 457, based in Zelienople at the English Lutheran Church, carries the flag Monday in the 2022 Zelienople 4th of July parade. The troop and pack have been marching in the parade for over 20 years. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Hall was narrating the parade on the loudspeaker from the balcony of the Kaufman Tavern as tractors and floats honoring those who have served passed by.

Ian Maloney, 11, left, and Sean Hart, 11, of Troop 457, based in Zelienople at the English Lutheran Church, carry the flag Monday in the 2022 Zelienople 4th of July parade. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

“It was absolutely amazing,” parade attendee Melissa Pindroh said. “I like anything historic. It’s great to see the veterans out here. We are so grateful for what they have done for us.”

A scout from Troop 457, based in Zelienople at the English Lutheran Church, peeks under the flag Monday in the 2022 Zelienople 4th of July parade. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle