Bicyclists of all ages were led by Mars police along the boroughs Independence Day parade route on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
MARS The Fourth of July is a day for people to celebrate the USA, but for the people who are part of the holidays entertainment, its also a time to make other people happy. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
I like throwing candy at people, Gavin said. <\/p>\n
I like making people happy, Nathan chimed in. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
According to assistant band director Aaron Wagner, the Fourth of July parade is the marching bands first official event of the season each year, making it the first public performance for the freshmen entering high school. <\/p>\n
Even if its hot, were going down and were trying to make everyone happy and make it a good time, Wagner said. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
At first youre not used to the heat, so you feel like youre dying, like youre going to pass out, Alvin said. As you get used to it, it becomes more fun, you can play what you want to play. <\/p>\n
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 wont 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. <\/p>\n
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 its very fun to make people smile. <\/p>\n
Bicyclists of all ages were led by Mars police along the parade route for the boroughs Independence Day parade on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
Bicyclists of all ages were led by Mars police along the parade route for the Mars Independence Day parade on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
The crowd cheers on parade participants during the Mars Independence Day parade on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
A band of patriotically dressed motorcycles drove along the parade route for the Mars Independence Day parade on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
The crowd cheers on participants of Mars Independence Day parade on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
A band of patriotically dressed tractors drove along the parade route for Mars Independence Day parade on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
A member of the Mars Area High School marching band attempts to stay cool during the bands performance at Mars Independence Day parade on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
A patriotic float with the Statue of Liberty participated in the Mars Independence Day parade on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
A group of Scouts kick off the Mars Fourth of July parade by carrying the banner down Main Street. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
A patriotic float with the Statue of Liberty participated in Mars Independence Day parade on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
A patriotic float with the Statue of Liberty participated in the Mars July 4 parade on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle <\/p>\n
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Fourth of July provides once-a-year opportunities in Mars - Butler Eagle<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Bicyclists of all ages were led by Mars police along the boroughs Independence Day parade route on Thursday, July 4. Morgan Phillips\/Butler Eagle MARS The Fourth of July is a day for people to celebrate the USA, but for the people who are part of the holidays entertainment, its also a time to make other people happy Continue reading