ROCK HALL — We’re told that savvy parade watchers put out their chairs and blankets under the cover of darkness on July 3 in order to stake out primo vantage spots for the annual Independence Day procession along Rock Hall’s Main Street.
That sounds about right because long before the parade steps off at 10 a.m. thousands of people have lined the street from the Lagoon to the Civic Center.
This year’s parade, featuring Grand Marshal Jean Spence and Junior Mayor Grant Stoops, boasted 70-plus entries.
“I am pretty sure that was the largest and most well-attended parade we’ve had as long as I can remember,” Rock Hall Mayor James Cook said in a social media post.
Cook added: “A huge thank you to Rock Hall Parks & Recreation. None of this would have been possible without all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. Thanks to Brian Jones for doing such a great job as the MC. I got so many compliments today on how well the parade was run and it’s all thanks to them and the volunteers who worked so hard on this for us. Thanks to RHPD for keeping things moving and ensuring there were no incidents and everyone could enjoy the parade safely.”
Parade award winners are listed here.
Judges Award: Delmarva United Marching Band
Best church float: Blessing Bags with Nolan White, Rock Hall Seventh-day Adventist Church
Best Salute to Rock Hall: Rock Hall Alumni Association
Most original: Smith Island crab skiff
Best classic car: John Anderson’s 1974 Camaro
Best business float: Get The Scoop
Best antique vehicle: Walt Joiner’s 1947 Willys Jeep
Best Salute to Founding Fathers: Republicans of Kent
Best overall fire engine: Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Company
Best overall rescue unit: Galena Volunteer Fire Company
Best overall special equipment: Galena Volunteer Fire Company
Best overall brush unit: Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company
Best overall ambulance: Betterton Volunteer Fire Company
Mayor’s Pick: Rock Hall “Beauties,” i.e., Little Miss Rock Hall Paisley Usilton; Junior Miss Rock Hall Emmy Kelley; and Miss Rock Hall Lydia Masse.
At the conclusion of the parade, the festivities continued with a talent show, horseshoe tournament and more at the Civic Center.
The talent show winners are: Fallon Kearney, singing “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town, first; Jacie Clark, singing “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele, second; and Faith (last name unknown), singing “Our Song” by Taylor Swift.
Prizes were donated by Coleman’s Tavern, affectionately known as Maggie’s.
In the horseshoe tournament, the father and son team of Michael Cox and Richard Cox defeated Angela Elburn and Kenny Fletcher in the finals. Up to that point, the duo of Elburn-Fletcher had not lost a game.
