Kids parade, fire rains at Selma’s Fourth celebration

Published 12:00 am Friday, July 5, 2002

The persistent rain that has been drizzling on Selma for days didn’t deter the crowd that gathered to watch the “United We Stand” Sky Concert put on by the city.

The show, which celebrated the Fourth of July through music, speakers, and fireworks, started about a half hour late, but the audience at Memorial Stadium stayed through the weather.

The pre-fireworks show was held on a stage on the track at the stadium, with the stage covered in red, white, and blue. Bunting in stars and stripes, patriotic balloons, and other U.S.A.-inspired decorations decorated the stage.

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Rachel Watford opened up the show with a trumpet trill, and Marcia Edwards sang “America the Beautiful” following that.

Mayor James Perkins welcomed the large crowd, and Rev. F.D. Reese gave a stirring invocation. Then, a children’s parade, in which youngsters marched, waving flags, behind Selma High School’s majorettes, circled the track, with children beaming happily. Selma and Dallas County’s Girl and Boy of the Year delivered patriotic speeches on what the flag meant and the honoring of heroes. Then, heroes were actually honored–veterans, current military officers, and public servants stood in the stadium while Watford played “Taps.” The Selma Community Choir provided the crowd with some musical entertainment, performing songs with patriotic themes. Other special and patriotic items on the agenda followed, and then it was on to the fireworks.