People lined the streets on Saturday evening to watch the Hereford July 4th parade, part of the community’s annual festival recognizing Independence Day.

The parade’s theme was “Grande Old Flag,” and there were many flags to be seen on storefronts, aboard floats and held by festival-goers. The parade ran from the State Highway Administration parking lot, on
Mount Carmel Road, to Hereford High School, on York Road.

Leslie Pachol, chairman of the group who organized the day of events, said Maryland Line United Methodist Church won the Best in Show category. Girl Scout Troop 1442 won Best U.S. Flag display.

Newscaster Jeff Barnd, of WBFF-TV, was the master of ceremonies.

Pachol estimated about 5,000 people attended.

In addition to floats there were marching bands, fire engines, tractors, antique and classic cars and horses that moved along Hereford streets that were decorated by local residents and businesses.

The day’s events started much earlier — at 2 p.m. — at the Downtown Festival, at Mount Carmel and York roads. There, craft vendors, church booths, food and exhibitors were lined up for the festivities.

The Kids Zone, on York Road across from Locke’s Garage, offered face-painting, games and inflatable entertainment for children. Pachol said the Kids Zone was probably the most popular part of the festival.

An Uptown Festival started an hour later at Hereford High School. Residents enjoyed food, music and other entertainment there. Children enjoyed a Bike Parade set up just for them.

The day culminated with fireworks at dusk near Hereford High.

Pachol said it is not too early to be thinking about next year’s Fourth of July festival and parade. The organizing committee could use donations, she said. They can be mailed to Hereford Optimist Club, P.O. Box 243, Monkton, MD 21111.

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