Fourth of July provides once-a-year opportunities in Mars
MARS — The Fourth of July is a day for people to celebrate the USA, but for the people who are part of the holiday’s entertainment, it’s also a time to make other people happy.
Gavin Gadde, 11, and Nathan Kramer, 12, are members of Mars Scout Troop 400 and Cub Scout Pack 413, and were excited Thursday, July 4, to be part of the parade not for the attention, but to throw candy to other children watching along the route.
“I like throwing candy at people,” Gavin said.
“I like making people happy,” Nathan chimed in.
The Mars Independence Day parade boasted dozens of entries, ranging from the Scouts to the local volunteer fire departments. Preceding the 3 p.m. parade was a street fair, which had multiple food and merchandise vendors plus games and activities for children and adults alike.
The highlight for many Mars natives was the parade, however, which was evident by the cheering of the crowd gathered on sidewalks and the screaming of children who dashed for candy and toys thrown from vehicles in the parade.
And although the temperature reached well into the 80s Thursday afternoon, the heat is part of the excitement of the parade for people like Alvin Tsau, a rising senior at Mars Area High School who plays trumpet in its marching band.
According to assistant band director Aaron Wagner, the Fourth of July parade is the marching band’s first official event of the season each year, making it the first public performance for the freshmen entering high school.
“Even if it’s hot, we’re going down and we’re trying to make everyone happy and make it a good time,” Wagner said.
Alvin said he barely played his trumpet the first time he played in the Fourth of July parade out of nervousness. As a senior, though, the parade is his chance to mentor the next generation of students on how to handle challenging performances.
“At first you’re not used to the heat, so you feel like you’re dying, like you’re going to pass out,” Alvin said. “As you get used to it, it becomes more fun, you can play what you want to play.”
The parade reached its end shortly after 3:40 p.m., but it will likely remain in the participants’ memories for years to come. Girl Scout in Mars Troop 28028 Anna Kramer, 10, said she won’t soon forget the experience, because the annual parade is her one chance each year to ride atop a fire truck. She also said she enjoys getting the chance to make other people smile.
“I like to hang out with my friends and make other people happy,” Anna said after the parade. “Only the oldest kids in the Girl Scouts are allowed to sit on the very top of the fire truck, and it’s very fun to make people smile.”
