Published: July 05, 2009 12:22 am      

Greenville celebrates July 4 with parades

GREENVILLE — There is one morning in Greenville when just about everyone wears red, white and blue — July 4.

And there are two places in Greenville on that morning where it is even more likely the colors will be a mandatory fashion statement, the Buena Vista/Chapman and Park Street neighborhoods. Such was the case again Saturday, as patriotic residents braved the heat to take part in each of the neighborhood’s annual Independence Day parades.

The Buena Vista/Chapman parade, as is local tradition, came first. A handful of cars lead things off, with most of the rest of the entrants either on a bicycle’s two wheels or on foot. The event is known as one where many of the participants bring their dogs to trot along as the parade makes its way to Royal Lane, turns on Chapman Drive and returns to Buena Vista. This year, there was a new type of pet entry ... livestock.

The Hammack family brought along Clover, a two-month-old orphan calf they are raising, to join in the fun. Clover fit right in and walked the route with no problems, aside from the confused canines who walked along beside her. Clover also was the recipient of some raised eyebrows and incredulous looks from the neighborhood residents who sat outside their homes to watch the parade.

Saturday’s parade was dedicated to David Gish Sr., who died recently and who often lead the parade, carrying the grand marshal in his classic Cadillac. This year, David Gish Jr. did the driving while grand marshal Steven Alexander, the Greenville City Manager, and his family rode in style.

About an hour later, the Park Street neighborhood presented its parade, with Harold Payne of Caddo Mills serving as grand marshal. Payne and his “Payne’s Punch Packers,” manned a B-17 bomber in the 8th Air Force, 390th Bomb Group, 570th Squadron during World War II , carrying out missions over Czechoslovakia and France from 1944 to 1945.

The Park Street parade also featured World War II POW Harry Thompson, along with other entries dedicated to honoring veterans, with the Hunt County Veterans Honor Guard helping lead the way. There were vehicles filled with members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4011 and Ladies Auxiliary and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The parade also featured the Greenville High School marching band; flag-carrying Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts; golf carts and motorcycles adorned in red, white and blue and more.

Following the parade came the annual patriotic program at Kavanaugh United Methodist Church.

Saturday evening, the activities moved to the Greenville SportsPark for the 2009 Patriotic Picnic, sponsored by the City of Greenville and Edward Jones Investments, which featured live music, picnic and a fireworks show after dark.