One of the many local organizations participating in Shepherdstown’s Fourth of July Parade, the St. Agnes Shepherdstown Council 13887 Knights of Columbus Chapter, line up early Monday morning. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The Shepherdstown Rotary Club has been putting together the Fourth of July Parade and Community Picnic, to celebrate Independence Day, almost every year since 2007. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the first break in that tradition took place, leading to a two-year hiatus of the parade and picnic event, until its return Monday morning.

This year’s parade bounced back to its normal numbers from before the pandemic, drawing about 1,000-1,500 attendees.

Peter Smith is a member of the Rotary Club and has been running the parade since 2013.

“Our goal was to make a wholesome, family-friendly celebration for the town,” Smith said. “There wasn’t an event for the town to celebrate Independence Day at the time. It’s been successful and grown over the years.”

The parade used to be a small gathering and would only last around 10 minutes, but as the years have gone by more and more people wanted to get involved.

Richard E. Seeley’s family and friends ride on his memorial float in the Fourth of July Parade Monday morning. Ainsley Hall

“We continued to get more entries,” Smith said, as he talked about the increase in parade entrees since the parade’s beginning. “I guess they started to get used to the idea of promoting their business or organization through the parade.”

Though promoting businesses and organizations is a part of the celebration, the main purpose is to bring people together.

“It provides a good occasion to mark the Fourth of July,” Smith said. “The picnic is designed so people can still get together with family later.”

“The parade is a celebration of summer and the community,” said Todd Coyle, the parade’s announcer.

The parade included a section honoring Richard E. Seeley, local politicians, martial artists demonstrations, beauty pageant winners and ended with a giant American flag and trucks from the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department.

The replica of James Rumsey’s steamboat glides down German Street in the Fourth of July Parade on Monday morning. Ainsley Hall

For a small town of about 1,200 people, having such a big parade and celebration is a great accomplishment. It has become an important event for many people in the community.

“People take a small amount of pride to put it together,” Smith said. “It’s pretty big for a small town. Many people say it makes them feel good about the town.”

The Rotary Club has worked together for many years to continue and grow this Shepherdstown Tradition. Many members donate their own money to help put together the event and volunteer to help make it possible. Smith handles the invitations and putting together the lineup, but others like Holly Frye help make sure the parade runs smoothly and everyone is where they are supposed to be at the right time.

A lot of hard work by many individuals goes into making the event happen, making it a perfect example of the Rotary Club’s motto, “Service above self.”

“It’s a good event for the town and we are happy to do it,” Smith said.

Picnickers relax and listen to the music of The Speakeasy Boys in the Morgan’s Grove Park pavilion on Monday afternoon. Ainsley Hall

Volunteers carry a large American flag down German Street, at the end of the Fourth of July Parade Monday morning. Ainsley Hall