BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — A Fourth of July parade in one Burke County community is so big that more people come out to celebrate it than there are people who live in the town where it is held.
The town of Glen Alpine, North Carolina -- west of Morganton -- celebrated year 65 of its annual Fourth of July parade. When the event began in the 1950s, it was just a few kids, circling a home and celebrating the holiday.
[ READ MORE: 2022 Fourth of July fireworks and festivities in Charlotte ]
After two years of parades canceled or diminished by the COVID-19 pandemic, longtime attendees are happy the crowds have returned.
Now, the town of just over 1,500 people plays host to folks from across western North Carolina who are looking to watch the parade or find a way to be in it.
“To be able to come out and enjoy friends, laugh and have a really nice time,” paradegoer Tony Crisp said.
“It hit this town hard, and you know, when you’re a small town, when you lose a citizen it hurts everyone,” Mayor Bob Benfield said.
>> In the video at the top of this page, Channel 9′s Dave Faherty takes you to the town of Glen Alpine for its long-running, patriotic tradition -- the Ruth Clontz Independence Day Parade.
(WATCH BELOW: Fireworks vendors prepare for crowds looking to celebrate the fourth at home)