35th annual ‘Mountain Top on the Move’ July 4th parade

MOUNTAIN TOP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Waves of red, white, and blue colors will be seen all across our nation today as Americans celebrate the 4th of July.

A massive American flag hangs over Route 309 in Mountain Top. The grand gesture in honor of Independence Day, and also represents the start of the ‘Mountain Top on the Move July Fourth Parade.’

Dianne Hopersberger is the president of the event, she’s attended the annual festivity since its start 35 years ago.

“This is everything to our community, it is our heartbeat of the year. Everybody looks forward to the Fourth of July parade so much, it just swells with all the population,” said Hopersberger.

“I was either in law enforcement where I helped with the parade, closing the roadways, directing the traffic and things, or I was in the parade driving dignitaries,” continued Hopersberger.

Outgrowing just the parking lot of the former chalet, parade organizers like Connor Dempkosky tipped their hats to the roots of where it all began.

“Our Grand Marshal Joe Kubic, he’s part of the historical society. Fantastic guy, a long-time member of Mountain Top and our historian, and the chalet sign will also be in the parade which is fantastic to capture the history of our town,” stated Connor Dempkosky the parade co-chairman at the Mountain Top on the Move.

Organizations like the American Legion are staples in the event. But for others like business owner John Sacco, it’s their first time joining in on the fun.

“In our house, America is everything to us so we wanted to get off the sidelines from the parade and get into the parade and showcase some of our dogs also,” said Joe Sacco the owner of Unleashed Balanced K9 Training.

This year, nearly 1,000 people rode or walked along the two-mile parade route.

“It took countless meetings to plan the parade with countless people,” says Dempkosky.

Showing off their red white and blues, a symbol of patriotism and community.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.