Parade, picnic mark Independence Day in Marietta
Erica and Veronica Skunza of Marietta sit along Putnam Street Friday to watch the Marietta Independence Day Parade. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
The Marietta Independence Day Parade was held downtown on Friday as the area commemorated America’s independence. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
The Marietta Independence Day Parade along Putnam Street on Friday featured a number of people. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Morgan Metcalf, the 2025 Teen Middle Island Harvest Festival queen, tosses candy along Putnam Street Friday during the Marietta Independence Day Parade. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Children scramble to pick up candy along Putnam Street Friday during the Marietta Independence Day Parade. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
The Marietta Independence Day Parade was held downtown on Friday. The Marietta Fire Department raised a large American flag at the intersection of Putnam Street and Front Street. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Erica and Veronica Skunza of Marietta sit along Putnam Street Friday to watch the Marietta Independence Day Parade. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
The Marietta Independence Day Parade was held downtown on Friday as the area commemorated America’s independence. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
The Marietta Independence Day Parade along Putnam Street on Friday featured a number of people. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Morgan Metcalf, the 2025 Teen Middle Island Harvest Festival queen, tosses candy along Putnam Street Friday during the Marietta Independence Day Parade. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Children scramble to pick up candy along Putnam Street Friday during the Marietta Independence Day Parade. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
The Marietta Independence Day Parade was held downtown on Friday. The Marietta Fire Department raised a large American flag at the intersection of Putnam Street and Front Street. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
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MARIETTA -- Events were held throughout the day on Friday in Marietta to commemorate Independence Day.
The annual parade wound through downtown for more than half an hour before, wrapping up at Armory Square. Gene Venham, commander of Ronnie W. Davis Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5108, said seven veterans organizations and their commanders participated, along with multiple veterans and their family members in UTVs. More than half of the volunteer fire departments in Washington County joined in as well.
"The fire departments were overwhelming," he said. The Ohio Valley Jeep Club "showed up en masse. They had over 30 Jeeps in the parade."
Community members then gathered at Gold Star Park on Lancaster Street for a free picnic organized by AMVETS Post 1788, Marietta Elks Lodge and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 52.
Bruce Edward Haas, public relations officer for AMVETS Post 1788, said there were 350-400 people present and enjoying hamburgers, hot dogs and other picnic favorites.
Local veterans groups came out to help with different activities as well as help transport people to the park, including the American Legion, VFW DAV and others, Haas said.
"We were very happy with the support we got," he said. "Many people were able to see what was up at Gold Star Park."
The event also included a number of children's games as well as a sprinkler that kids could run through.
Haas commended the City of Marietta for the use of space and other groups who helped put up shelter tents and more.
"It was a well-attended, super-appropriate Independence Day celebration," Haas said.
Organizers are already planning for next year which will commemorate the country's 250th anniversary and may require a larger venue.
"We are trying to figure out what we are doing next year," Haas said. "The event may evolve into something bigger."
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City Editor Evan Bevins contributed to this story.