Celebrating the Fourth of July in St. Michaels

ST. MICHAELS — A tableau of Americana walked, rolled and pedaled down Talbot Avenue in St. Michaels on Thursday in the 48th annual Independence Day Children's Parade.

Hundreds participated, dressed in red, white and blue. The street was lined with residents and visitors who cheered the children and their families as they walked past.

Brian Collison, a Denver resident who was visiting his aunt and uncle in town, set the tone as he played patriotic songs on his trumpet along the parade route.

Six-year-old Maizi Koehne was typical of many of those participating. Maizi was bedecked in red, white and blue, including stars and stripes pinwheels attached to her headband. She and her sister Ava were visiting their grandparents. They come every year from their home in Plano, Texas, and participate in the parade.

Easton resident Bodey Richardson dressed as Uncle Sam and marched in front of the Boy Scout Troop 741 color guard at the front of the parade. He flashed thumbs up signs and waved to those watching.

The parade had an international flavor — although somewhat ironic considering the holiday celebrates America's independence from England. British citizen David Brown carried his 4-year-old son, Charlie, on his shoulders. David married American Emily Roiter, the daughter of recently elected St. Michaels Commissioner Alexis Roiter.

David and Emily live in London. He told how he has thrown Fourth of July parties in the past for his wife featuring hot dogs and red, white and blue bunting.

Ten-year-old Mitchell Boyd, dressed in a colonial outfit, walked the parade with his parents, April and Rob, and his sister, Addy. The Boyds live in Washington, D.C., and have a second home in St. Michaels.

Following the parade, the St. Michaels Volunteer Fire Department grilled hamburgers and speeches were given in front of the St. Michaels Museum. Talbot County Council Vice President Pete Lesher talked about Revolutionary War patriot Matthew Tilghman. Recently retired Police Chief Anthony T. Smith read the Declaration of Independence, and St. Michaels Museum Secretary Jo Ann Manning gave the invocation.

"May the changes we want to see begin with each of us," Manning said.