Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshall Dewitt Jacobs, front, rides down German Street in a World War II Jeep with his grandson, Tristan Jacobs, and driver, Rick Goldman, on Tuesday morning. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Community members young and old made their way down German Street on Tuesday morning, as they joined together to participate in Shepherdstown’s annual Fourth of July Parade.

Some participants were as young as two- or three-years-old, while others ranged into their 90s, noted community member Susan Bosco.

“Ron Sowers has a team of horses in the parade this year, but I don’t think anybody realizes that this man is 90 years-old!” Bosco said of Sowers, whose Halflinger ponies pulled an open carriage in the parade.

Beating out Sowers by five years-in-age was Grand Marshal Dewitt Jacobs, a 95-year-old Korean War veteran. Jacobs was nominated for this position by town council member Cheryl Roberts, as a military veteran or current member has been the historic choice for the parade’s grand marshal, according to Rotary Club of Shepherdstown member and parade organizer Peter Smith.

“Fourth of July is a celebration,” said Dewitt Jacobs, mentioning he was born in 1928.

Uncle Sam waves to parade goers on Tuesday morning. Tabitha Johnston

Todd Coyle, who has served as the Fourth of July Parade emcee for the last 10 years, noted aspect of Dewitt Jacobs’ history, as he road down German Street in a World War II Jeep with his grandson, Tristan Jacobs, and driver, Rick Goldman.

“Affectionately known as ‘Mister Dee,’ he’s a cherished resident of Shepherdstown and devoted member of Asbury United Methodist Church. He was born and raised here in a close-knit family. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Storer College and started out as a teacher at the Halltown school,” Coyle said. “After the Korean War broke out in 1950, he enlisted in the army. He served as an administer specialist and gained the rank of corporal. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the Japan Army of Occupation Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.

“After the war, he married the love of his life, Anna Jackson. They eventually relocated to Washington, D.C., where Dewitt settled into a career as an accountant for Southern Railway,” Coyle said. “After he retired, Dewitt returned to Shepherdstown. He’s the proud father of four daughters, and he’s been a loving figure in the lives of six grandsons, one granddaughter, seven great-grandsons, four great-granddaughters and countless other relatives and friends.”

Three-year-old Petra walked down German Street with her mother, Lauren Chapalee, representing the Shepherdstown Public Library in the parade. Further down the parade lineup, Petra’s older sister, six-year-old Aenea, was participating in the parade with her Cub Scout troop.

“I think, for the kids, it’s a very visible way for them to represent their community and for them to actively participate in their community,” Chapalee said. “Even as old as three, you can make eye contact with a stranger and smile, and see that they smile! For all of us, to see one-year-olds to 101 year-olds coming together is important. Across the generations, we’re all together.”

West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Circuit Court Judge David Hammer waves to parade attendees with his family on Tuesday. Tabitha Johnston

Another three-year-old, Miles, and his five-year-old sister, Charlotte, rode down German Street in a wagon pulled by their mother, Shepherdstown Day Care board member Christina Mason.

“The parade is a great activity. And it’s a great way to help the community recognize that there is a daycare presence here that serves the entire Eastern Panhandle and beyond, serving families of all backgrounds with a sliding scale of tuition. We’re the only daycare that offers that!” Mason said, mentioning her husband was already over at Morgan’s Grove Park prior to the parade’s beginning, to help prepare food for the Fourth of July Community Picnic.

For Smith, seeing participants of all ages is the way all parades should be.

“It’s the whole tapestry of the community!” Smith said, between counting up and finding this year’s parade had a total of 84 entries. “In 2018, we had 88 parade entries. The effects of COVID on the Fourth of July Parade are gone, apparently.”

The Fourth of July Community Picnic at Morgan’s Grove Park, like the parade, was free to the public. Many attendees supported the organizer of the two events, the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown, by purchasing their picnic food — freshly grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, chips and non-alcoholic beverages — from the club at the park. The public was welcome to bring their own picnic lunches, however, as the purpose of the event was to promote community togetherness, through eating communally, listening to live music and allowing children to participate in a wide variety of fun activities. Proceeds from the sales of the club’s picnic food went toward covering a portion of the parade and picnic costs, according to Smith.

A member of the Sofa Kings of Frederick rides down German Street in a motorized couch, styled to look like a bathtub, on Tuesday morning. Tabitha Johnston

Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department members carry the American flag down German Street on Tuesday morning. Tabitha Johnston