Participants in the parade stop to allow trailing members to catch up before traveling down Main Street.
PAYSON, ARIZONA, July 4th, 2020
Around 9AM yesterday morning vehiclesof all shapes and sizes started arriving in the parking lot out in front of the BigLots store. Everyone had one or more flags to wave. The stars and stripes were defiantly flying, which was the only requirement for being welcomed into the parade by fellow patriots.
Jeff Jayich had the idea after he heard about the town having to cancel the fireworks, and annual festivities usually held over the weekend due to restrictions from the surge of Covid cases in the state. Jayich states, “I did it all on social media, and I was surprised it came together as well as it did. We’ve really had an impressive turnout.”
At last
on the side of the road.
It was Jeff Jayich and family who proudly led the group on the previously plotted route. Next in line was a truck with Mayor Tom Morrissey, his wife Kris, and Town Council incumbent Vice Mayor Janell Sterner in the back. Following them was another Town Council candidate Dave Golembewski on his motorcycle.
Incumbent Mayor Morrissey is also up for re-election. The intension was for the parade to be about independence, not politics. “Having our Mayor in the parade isn’t politics,” said Jayich, “it’s just right, he is the Mayor.” Jayich did make an exception to the Mayor’s opponent in the election allowing her to participate with one of the huge signs we’re all seeing around town. Then it was only fair to allow other candidates to enter. At least for the most part the heated accusations and empty threats from the Mayors opponent were “Trumped” by the patriotism of the event. Lots of support for our President, Donald Trump was displayed in force as they continued traveling north towards the round- about in front of Home Depot. They rounded-about and headed back into town.
Many people were out to welcome the parade, some with masks, some without , but it was a nice distraction from everything. After the intersection of 87 and 260 again they continued to Wade Street, turned right and then left on McClane. Once at Green Valley Park they stopped to let the tail of the dragon catch up. A quick 10 minute break led to a chat, taking photos and wipe the brow. Once gathered together it was a left turn on Main Street that was the highlight of the parade because this was where most of the spectators were waiting on the route.
Honking and waving they went by and finally ended up at the parking lot of the casino. But that wasn’t all! They went back through town and end their patriotic parade where they had begun. Then many participants had lunch at the American Legion. It was a great morning to be an American.
