Dale City resident Cindy Diaz had her umbrella just in case. Turns out she and everyone else didn’t need one.
A morning that started off with ominous clouds and a brief sprinkle of rain quickly turned into a glorious – albeit hot – day for the annual Dale City Independence Day Celebration. Hundreds lined Dale Boulevard to watch what has become a local tradition as familiar as to July 4 as fireworks and apple pie.
Diaz, her mother Frances Costanzo, her daughter and two grandchildren had a primo spot on the median just before the end of the 1-mile parade route, which wound from Kirkdale Road down to the commuter lot just before Minnieville Road. Waiting for her grandchildren to come, Diaz reminisced about the 29 consecutive years she’s attended the parade.
A former member of the Dale City Arts & Crafts Club, Diaz and her now 29-year-old son used to participate in the parade dressed as clowns, tossing candy to the children.
For Lake Ridge resident Jesse Haynes, the parade was a new experience. He and his wife Natasha were there with their children and other family members to watch their five-year-old daughter Layla, who was walking in the parade as a cheerleader for the Dale City Sports Club.
Originally from Arkansas, Haynes said he and his family would consider coming back to future parades.
“There was lots of excitement, a lot of people were talking about it [the parade],” Haynes said.
Woodbridge resident Alan Ragsdale was there with his girlfriend Ruby Escobar and their two-year-old son Marcus. Already a veteran with two parades under his belt, Marcus liked the horses and the fire dog mascot the best, said his father.
But the candy is strictly off limits, laughed Ragsdale.
Throughout the parade, there was plenty to do for attendees. Everyone from local political supporters to church groups to Outback Steakhouse were stumping for attention while the children got to visit a small petting zoo and take rides on miniature horses.
Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-369-5738.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement