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Independence Day in the Village: Photos from the Fourth of July Parade in Blowing Rock

By Jessica Isaacs

Decked out in their brightest reds, whites and blues, families, friends, local officials and special guests led a jubilant parade through the streets of downtown Blowing Rock on Saturday afternoon during the village’s annual Independence Day celebration.

Stars and stripes abounded as the procession made its way down Main Street and the weather cooperated for a beautiful Fourth of July afternoon.

Charlie Sellers, proprietor of the Blowing Rock tourist attraction, rode through town atop a friend’s 1926 Cadillac Convertible with the guest of honor, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory.

“I contacted our governor months ago to see if he could work it into his schedule to join us in Blowing Rock,” Sellers said. “It turned out he had to be in Asheville late Saturday afternoon, so he made a stop for our parade and then moved on.”

Sellers said Blowing Rock’s was one of the largest Fourth of July parades he’s ever seen, and that it plays an important role in the life of the community.

“First of all, it brings in tax dollars because we have a lot of day-trippers that come up for the parade, which is very important,” he said. “Secondly, I think it brings the community together. The majority of individuals, floats and automobiles in the parade were locals.”

Sellers said he was honored to join McCrory in leading the village’s annual parade.

“My purpose in joining the parade was to promote the Blowing Rock community. I thought it was really neat to have him here because he’s a very down to earth individual,” Sellers said. “I think he does have North Carolina’s best interest at heart, and I think he has Blowing Rock’s best interest at heart. I know that the widening of U.S. Highway 321 hasn’t progressed due to weather like it should, but maybe we’ll move forward and see an early completion.”

Check out these photos from the parade!

Photos by Ken Ketchie/High Country Press.

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