Hundreds of Portage community members came together for the city’s annual midsummer celebration of our country’s independence. The dedication and toughness of Portage residents was on display as they lined the street for Wednesday’s Fourth of July Parade despite the fact that temperatures reached triple digits. When the parade got underway, the temperature display showed 98 degrees and it elevated to 102 by the parade’s conclusion.
None the less, countless people turned out on Independence Day to celebrate. The level of participation in the parade climbed from a year ago. There were approximately 100 different vehicles and groups in the parade, including fire trucks and police cars. The parade is put on by the Pride in Portage Committee, headed up by Robin Wilkening.
“The preparation is usually just getting the applications in and lining everybody up in a fashionable order where everybody can enjoy a good parade,” Wilkening said.
Wilkening was pleasantly surprised by the number of people that battled the heat in order to take in a great parade that the event organizers and participants worked hard to put on.
“I thought people wouldn’t show up today because of the heat with their kids and everything,” she said. “People were out here at 9:30 getting their spots placed along the parade route, so that’s pretty impressive.”
Attendees were treated to a pleasant addition to the parade this year as a new Lima Lima flyover made its debut. According to Wilkening, it was the first time in five or six years that Portage has had a flyover during the parade. The Lima Lima flyover was sponsored by Centier Bank. The patriotic flyover started the day along with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem.
The Portage Police Department and Fire Department were well represented as usual. Mayor Jim Snyder made an appearance walking in the parade along with a slew of other Portage politicians. The Ogden Dunes Volunteer Fire Department, the American Legion, the Exchange Club, Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy, PHS Distinguished Young Woman Rachel Stewart, the Bonner Senior Center, Bible Baptist Church and Portage Jazzercise were among the many people and groups represented. Athletics in the city was well accounted for with Tribe Travel Baseball, Portage Little League, Portage Youth Basketball, Portage Youth Soccer, Junior Miss Softball, the Portage Porpoise Swim Club and Indiana Elite Gymnastics. Countless other churches, businesses, clubs, groups and teams were included in the parade.
“It’s just great getting to see all the people come out,” Wilkening said. “It’s just heartwarming to know that there’s still patriotism in this country and we have great people in this city.”
Click here for a full photo gallery of Wednesday's parade!!!