Staunton celebrates America’s Birthday

By Alicia Rimel

Published: July 4, 2008

STAUNTON – Crowds bustled Friday at Gypsy Hill Park, the site of Staunton’s annual America’s Birthday Celebration.
“I didn’t expect this many people,” Lala Putnam, 70, said as she waited to meet up with a friend.
The Staunton resident moved to the area in the 1960s as a result of her husband’s career. She has attended the event every year since.
“I try to sit in the same spot every year,” Putnam said as she periodically stopped to wave at a friend she spotted in the crowd.
The Fourth of July event is a mainstay both for Staunton residents and those who live well beyond the city limits. Many with childhood memories of the parade and music are now bringing their own children to enjoy the festivities.
“I’m 36 now and I’ve never missed a year,” said Cheryl Coiner, of Staunton. “I love it.”
Cheryl’s children chatted excitedly atop a spread blanket by the roadside as they awaited the locally famous Fourth of July parade.
“I like the motorcycles and eating hotdogs,” 6-year-old Tristan said.
His sister, 11-year-old Jessica, disagreed.
“The old cars are my favorite,” she said.
Myriad vendors provided the mouth-watering smell that permeated the celebration; the scent of smoked meat and funnel cakes wafted around those clustered along the parade route.
“We do something here every year,” said Millie Ramsey, member of the New Jerusalem Fellowship. The group ran the “Smoked Chicken and Ribs” booth; all proceeds from sales go to fund the production of their gospel CDs.
Setup for the event takes “days and days and days,” according to Ramsey.
More than just food, America’s Birthday Celebration also invites local vendors to peddle their wares to festivalgoers.
Debra Patterson, co-owner of The Gift Horse in Staunton, felt excited about her second year there.
“I enjoy being an entrepreneur and getting to speak to a diversity of people,” Patterson said. “People here are from all different walks of life – men, women, boys and girls. It’s a beautiful thing.”
As the parade geared up, families pushed to the street to watch the two-hour-long procession.
Among the crowd pleasers were antique cars, local fire and rescue departments and area civic groups. Members of the Staunton City Council also made an appearance.
According to President of America’s Birthday Celebration Terri Corey, this year’s event is shaping up to be its usual success.
“It’s going really, really well,” Corey said. “We always have a lot of people.”
With the current war in Iraq, the deeper meaning of the Fourth was never far from the minds of some.
“You think about independence, freedom,” Connie Spencer said.
The 64-year-old Staunton resident added, “Our troops are at war. That has been the main thing I’ve been thinking about today.”
Staunton resident Julie Hargrove, 46, spoke of the ones who have gone before.
“It’s about celebrating our freedom and the past – how we got here with [previous] wars and military service.”
After the parade, participants were invited to enjoy the music of the Mountain Horn Sax Band, Colgate Country Showdown, Mike Helper, Glen Shelton, South Bound Trio and Colin Raye.
The celebration will continue today with a car show, crafts and concessions, senior bingo, an ice-cream social and the Johnny Clifton Band. Festivities start at 9 a.m.