SLIDESHOW: View photos from the event.
Perched atop the backseat of a red convertible, 11-year-old Caitlin Farmer could hardly contain her excitement before the start of the Haymarket Day parade Saturday.
Saturday’s parade was the first for the 2009 Miss Pre-Teen Northern Virginia, she said.
“This is awesome,” said Caitlin, a Lake Ridge Middle School student. “Just being in the parade is awesome.”
Before the parade down Washington Street started, Caitlin said she watched some of the other parade participants, including local dance studios, martial arts schools and marching bands practice.
“There are a lot of talented people here and I think it’s going to be a great day,” Caitlin said.
A few floats down from Caitlin in the parade, the UniStars unicycling showtroupe from Fauquier County were preparing to ride down Washington Street.
Abby McLaughin, 15, said she’s been riding a unicycle for about eight years.
The group, made up of unicyclists between the ages of 7 and 17, has been in the parade for the past couple of years, she said.
“It’s fun to do,” Abby said. “When people see us, they tend to be impressed, I guess.”
More than 1,800 people, representing 57 community groups and organizations participated in this year’s parade, which kicked off the all-day event, said Haymarket Mayor Pamela Stutz.
Stutz watched the parade travel down Washington Street atop a platform alongside other Haymarket Town Council members, Gainesville District Super-visor John Stirrup, and Congressman Gerry Connolly, D-11th, the parade’s grand marshal.
“This is wonderful,” Stutz said after the parade. “I want to say thanks to all of the volunteers who worked very hard to put this together and to the community for coming out to Haymarket.”
Awards were given to Exit Heritage Realty, for the best float, Fireside Church for most original float, U.S. Tigers for best performance and Battlefield High School’s marching band for mayor’s choice.
In addition to the parade, musical performances and other activities were held in the town throughout the day.
Haymarket resident Rhonda McNeal said she came to Haymarket Day to see her daughter Savannah march in the parade with Girl Scout Troop 3489 and to enjoy the day.
“It’s a nice community event,” McNeal said. “This side of the county seems to have a lot of nice family events for the whole community to enjoy.”
Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.
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