At the dawn of the Revolutionary War, the several hundred residents in the modern towns of Cinnaminson, Palmyra and Riverton lived peaceful lives on farms in an agrarian area.
However, their lives changed forever when across the Delaware River in a hot, steamy Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress adopted and announced the United States of America’s Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
With the words “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” the founding fathers had created a new nation.
This July Fourth, thousands of residents from the three towns celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 175th anniversary of the Borough of Riverton, with a full day of events – including the 129th annual Children’s Flag Parade.
Founded by Riverton Yacht Club members Charles Davis and Albert Briggs, some 150 children carrying silk flags marched along Main Street on July 4, 1897.
By the 1970s the parade had grown into a two-hour long spectacular celebration of the United States with bands, floats, youngsters on bicycles and shiny fire engines blaring their sirens, followed by family fun events in Memorial Park and a fireworks show at dusk.
This year the “Glorious Fourth” events organized by the Riverton Fourth of July Committee, started at 8 a.m. with the Bill Oliver 5K run, followed by the One Mile Run for Fun at 9:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, thousands of Tri-Boro residents had lined Main Street anxiously waiting for the parade to start promptly at 10 a.m., led by youngsters carrying a banner honoring the Borough of Riverton itself as the grand marshal followed by Riverton Fire Department Color Guard.
Next was a patriotically decorated vehicle with the sign “Happy Fourth of July from the Cinnaminson Township Committee.” Members of Palmyra’s Independence Fire Company No. 1 marched proudly up the street led by its Color Guard, followed by Cub Scouts from Cinnaminson Pack 59.
A rock and roll band and the Riverside String Band played upbeat tunes that got attendees tapping their feet, followed by a float from the Epworth Methodist Church in Palmyra and re-enactors dressed in Colonial clothing.
Many of the groups in the parade threw candy to the children, who anxiously scrambled to pick up lollipops and other treats. One of the highlights was a tremendous performance by a dance drill team from Philadelphia, to the delight of generations of families and friends watching.
The Mason family of Palmyra having a great time included Susan, Stacy, Matt, Danielle, Laura, and Ian and their friends Lily Hedges and Eddie Rohmann, while the Richman family of Riverton enjoying the sights and sounds consisted of John, Jodi, Ryleigh, Maidynne, Colin, Kim and Steph.
After the parade the fun continued at Memorial Park, with the Pet Parade, the greased pole contest and games for children. Several blocks away the Great Joe Zaneski Downhill Soapbox Race at Elm Terrace began, as competitors sped down the fastest incline in the Tri-Boro area with bales of hay lining the street. The Raft Race from the Yacht Club was held at 5:30 p.m.
“Nothing brings our community together like Riverton Fourth of July. Our small town knows how to celebrate, and celebrate we did. We hope you enjoyed the festivities and are already counting down the days until next year,” stated a social media post by the Riverton Fourth of July Committee.
“We celebrated the country’s 250th and the town’s 175th in style. Huge shout out to Public Works and the Riverton Police Department, without whom our events would not be possible. Thank you to the sponsors as well for their generous donations,” the organizers stated.
After a day full of fun and backyard photos, hundreds of people gathered in the park at dusk for an amazing display of colorful, spectacular and loud fireworks lighting up the night sky and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, the 175th anniversary of Riverton and the success of the 129th Children’s Parade. What a Fourth of July celebration.
