Origin of West Peoria July 4th Parade
By Sharon McBride
When asked to do a brief history of the origin of the West Peoria Fourth of July Parade and Flag Raising Ceremony, I experienced many fond memories of many very good people. In the early summer of 1970, Pack 11 leaders were looking for some sort of patriotic celebration suitable for their boys and families. When none in the area could be found, we decided to start our own. We finally settled on the idea of a parade and simple patriotic flag ceremony at West Bluff Christian Church, our sponsor.
Simple was the operative word. Clarence Clark, Cub Master, had a convertible that he drove around West Peoria prior to July 4 with patriotic music coming from speakers in the rear of the convertible, announcing the first ever Fourth of July event.
Some of the leaders involved at that time were Norma Goett, Glenn Chipman, Ron and Jane Cloat, Bob and Barb Summers, The Seitz family, and my family. We included Troop 11 and their families and basically marched from the firehouse, behind the convertible, down Callender and up Kellogg to the church for our first flag raising ceremony. Probably fewer than thirty people gathered at the Cedar St. side of the church by the front doors for a brief speech by a Marine recruiter.
For a couple of years, we followed this pattern but later included the West Peoria Fire Department and changed presenters each year. For those of you who remember the flooding problem at Kellogg and Cedar, one year we had to have the ceremony in the rear parking lot with Scouts wading to the flag pole in front.
I don’t recall how early on, but we started having the Cub Scouts build a parade float. Ron Cloat loaned us a wagon on which to build the float, and the Cubs would come one den at a time to my driveway to work on the float. (In a brief stroke of genius, we all decided to have the boy who worked the hardest in each den ride on the float. That word went out and we were blessed with many more good workers than we expected). My favorite float was Washington Crossing the Delaware, which held more than a few scouts.
At the beginning, it was easy to have the participants come to my house for coffee and rolls after the parade. I still invite the same people who participated in the early parades, as well as new participants, for a picnic after the parade. Today, some kids of the first scouts come, making the Fourth a true family celebration.
I do not recall the complete evolution of the parade but remember the pride that showed each year. I remember a veteran who would stand on his porch on Rohmann Ave. and salute us all as we passed. He is missed as are many others who loved the event. I am proud to be a part of this event that continues to bring great recognition to our community and still stirs patriotism in our hearts and souls. I never dreamed it would become as large as it has and be so well attended. It makes one think of the saying that from the small acorn a mighty oak will grow.
My family: Matthew and Paula Ciota and Ben, Liz and Rich Faron, Sean and Joe, Tom and Karen and TJ Ciota, Nathan, Julie and Cannon, Morgan and Sharadyn Ciota, and I all wish you a truly enjoyable, patriotic and proud Fourth of July. God Bless America.