Burke Street Parade set July 4th

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- For more than 30 years, local residents have shown their patriotic spirit by walking, biking, riding or otherwise ambulating in the annual July 4th Burke Street Parade.

This year's procession begins at 10 a.m., Wednesday at the corner of 10th and Burke streets. It will follow a route south to Marblecrest Drive, then north on Horton to Marblecrest Terrace, west on Marblecrest Terrace and back to Burke Street where it will end at the home of Shawn and Sandi Keating, 1101 Burke St.

Participants and spectators may then gather at the Keatings, the hosts of this year's parade, to socialize and for cookies and refreshments.

Organizers are accepting donations of cookies from anyone in the community for the event.

"We like to have people donate cookies," co-organizer Margaret Humphrey said.

Susan Foster, Humphrey and Jill Gorman organized the traditional procession many years ago. The parade usually features marchers, bikes, strollers, decorated dogs, costumed characters, and sometimes lawnmowers, Humphrey said.

Humphrey added participants and spectators are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day.

"Anything goes," she said. "Kids are on wagons and decorated bikes. Everyone's in red, white and blue. I want so much for people to be patriotic."

In years past, the parade has included cars and other vehicles, but Humphrey urges anyone who plans to drive a vehicle to exercise caution because there will be youngsters in the street during the event.

"Everything is really kid-focused," she said. "We've had cars, but we ask that they be very careful with kids on the street. It can be dangerous."

The number of participants and spectators varies each year, ranging anywhere from 75-200. "I'd say we have averaged 100 people," Humphrey said. "Sometimes there are more in the parade than spectators. Anybody can be in it."

Humphrey said she and her husband, Merl, will once again don their Uncle Sam and Statue of Liberty costumes to kick things off.

"We wear them every year," she said.

Gorman and local Realtor Phil Hammons will lead parade-goers in a patriotic song.

Foster originated the idea for the procession and Humphrey and co-organizer Teresa Bahr help carry on the tradition.

Anyone with questions may contact Humphrey at (620) 223-0388, or Bahr at (620) 223-1582.