Rep. Tanya Pullin, D-South Shore (98th District) remembers the first time she ever rode in the South Shore American Legion Fourth of July parade.

“I’m always in the parade. I wouldn’t miss it. The first time I was in the parade, we figure was about 45 years ago, when I decorated my bicycle,” Pullin said. “And I’m still in it.”

Pullin said things really haven’t changed much over all those years.

“Not a whole lot. That’s one of the things we love about it. It’s still a great place to live, and good people,” Pullin said. “I love the parade. And we just don’t miss it.”

Hosting the parade was South Shore Mayor Cheryl Moore, who was going along the lineup checking out the participating units.

“We’re having the Fourth of July parade today, and then we’re going over to the Legion (James L. Flannery Post 276) and the Sons of the American Legion are going to have free hot dogs and stuff for everyone,” Moore said. “And we’re going to have contests for the kids. It’s going to be great.”

Moore said the parade is a community effort.

“Everyone comes together — the Legion — the fire department — all of the community comes out for it,” Moore said. “It’s a big event. It’s been going on for probably 50 years.”

As the parade began lining up Saturday morning, a lot of people were checking out the troop of Boy Scouts wearing kilts.

“We ordered them (kilts) on line. That’s the McClaren Tartan Boy Scout kilt,” Jack Blevins, Scoutmaster for Troop 23, sponsored by the American Legion out of Portsmouth and Lucasville, said. “I had mine through the SAL (Sons of the American Legion), and they asked us if we would mind wearing kilts because they are a charter organization. And I said we wouldn’t mind doing it, so we bought them kilts and the red berets to go with them. So far they like them. It was a job getting them in the kilts. I told them once they wore them they would like them.”

The parade lasted approximately a half-hour from start to finish, with multiple fire trucks from departments such as South Shore, Maloneton, Washington Township, and others, as well as community organizations, hillbilly cars, church groups and political office holders and candidates.

The noise was provided by a number of sources.

The cannon fired from the 40 et 8 boxcar, from American Legion Post 23; the sirens were employed on all of the fire trucks, and the laughter from the children who picked up candy thrown from the various units.

MIke Bennett, Commander of Post 276 said — “It’s hard to figure where all of the people come from, but every year it is a big celebration over here.”

As the horses brought up the rear of the parade, those watching slowly worked their way back to their cars, taking the time to talk with friends along the way.

“This is an all-American day,” Pullin said. “You just feel proud to be an American. And you just feel like this is the best of middle-America here today. It’s a great way to celebrate Independence Day with all of these folks.”