Guernsey celebrates Fourth with Yankee Doodle Dandy theme

By Vicki Hood

Contributing Editor

GUERNSEY—Celebrating the 247th year of America’s independence, Platte County residents came out for the annual Fourth of July parade and related activities in Guernsey last Tuesday.  

Early birds cashed in on the annual free breakfast in Gordon Davis Park and the Guernsey Economic Development and Tourism group served up somewhere around 400 plates of pancakes and sausage with plenty of orange juice and coffee on the side.   

Under a sunny sky with warm but not excessive temperatures, hundreds of people lined both sides of Wyoming Avenue from the Guernsey-Sunrise School all the way north to the BNSF Railroad property.  

Although the parade was smaller than last year’s, due to the absence of the political candidate entries, the crowd watching was nearly as big.  From huge, state-of-the-art fire fighting rigs to a 4-wheeled bicycle and flatbed floats, entries reflected not only pride for the USA but for individuals and organizations as well.     From beautifully restored  Ford T-Birds to a Cadillacr Biarritz, old Chevy pickups and  a variety of roadsters, the crowd was treated to a substantial contingent of antique and classic cars that span approximately 125 years of America’s automotive history.   

The top honors in the parade contest went to the float entered by the VFW Post 4471 and their Auxiliary.  SHAPPS, (Sunrise Historic and Prehistoric Preservation Society) picked up second place and the Red Hatters claimed third place.  

Following the parade, the action moved back to the park where there was plenty for young and old alike to enjoy.  Food vendors provided all the expected fare and local artisans set up shop to promote inventories such as homemade cookies and ice cream as well as honey-based products.  There was no question as to the significance of the day as the park was awash with red, white and blue clothing and decorations.  Local D. J. Vic Soto and his wife Teresa provided the tunes for the afternoon, working from the band shell.

The day came to a close as the local favorite band Timberline played for those who stayed or came back for their performance.      

Guernsey has long been known as a great place to celebrate the Fourth of July.  Even though the days of the big rodeos are past, the locals have responded as the community has adapted to a celebration that honors the past but is more relevant to the present.