Independence Day Brings out the best in us

We want to thank everyone who helped Poplar Bluff celebrate July 4th this week.

Hundreds turned out to enjoy the annual parade and fireworks, and it feels like almost that many helped make those events happen.

It was the Daily American Republic’s first year acting as coordinator for the parade, and helping more closely with the fundraising for the fireworks.

We’ve always seen how much hard work volunteers put into these events, but our new roles certainly gave us another perspective on the events.

For decades, our staff has been out to cover the annual parade and other celebrations of the day. We’ve captured some families for generations as they participated in SHO-ME Band or their church floats. The awe of children and adults alike has also been captured on our film, and now digital images, of the evening fireworks for many years.

This year, we got to be in the mix at the planning stages.

The Downtown Poplar Bluff group, Poplar Bluff Police Department and Poplar Bluff Street Department seemingly move heaven and earth making such a large event happen with the duties their staff members already have day-to-day.

Traffic has to be stopped along an approximately 2-mile parade route, with more than a dozen intersections marking the length from Whiteley Park to Downtown Poplar Bluff. (In addition to that, police and fire personnel are kept busy throughout the day with holiday-related incidents, such as grass fires started by mishandled fireworks.)

And then there is everyone who shows up first thing in the morning with floats and vehicles for the parade. We wish we knew how many people rode and walked in the parade, but that probably numbered in the hundreds as well.

While our staff was helping direct traffic at Whiteley Park, we saw how much work organizations put into decorating with patriotic displays honoring veterans and members of the military. There were also the parents, family and friends who came and went to drop off children riding in the parade or extra supplies.

Families braved the early July heat, lining Downtown streets for both the morning and evening events. It seems like everyone has a special spot from which they prefer to watch the parade or fireworks.

The atmosphere of community and friendship is visible at times like this.

It was wonderful to see this kind of unity on a day meant to honor the unity of our country and those who protect our freedoms.

— Daily American Republic