Monday July 4th saw the return of an Independence Day tradition in Hastings with the 4th of July Parade. Starting early in the afternoon, parade participants began to gather in the parking lot of St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church to line up for the processional down 15th Street to Westview Drive. As the afternoon went on, the parade route began to be lined with spectators of all ages, from children with bags to gather candy to grandparents visiting with one another, all in a gathering of community to celebrate the founding of our great nation. Parade units included local, County, State and Federal governmental representatives and candidates, local businesses, and community non profit organizations. The parade led off with the Hastings Police Department, in their new Command Vehicle, followed by the Hastings Fire and EMS Department in several of their response vehicles. There were over 40 units in the parade this year. By all accounts, the parade was a huge success followed by Fireworks at the Hastings Golf Club. Organizers hope for a bigger and better parade next year.
