STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
Daniela Cuellar knew nothing of America’s Independence Day—she lives in Mexico City.
But the tiny tot took her place with thousands lining Hailey’s Main Street on the Fourth of July, along with friends and family vacationing here from Mexico and Rockwell, Texas.
Hailey was painted red, white and blue as adults and children alike commandeered red, white and blue scarves, hats, cowboy boots and sunglasses sporting fireworks and sparklers that they had purchased at Jane’s Artifacts.
“We’re having the monthly meeting of the Red Hat Society,” said Judy Wampler, who was dressed as snazzy as a firecracker, along with her friends Heidi Bynum, Judy Fox, Dee Mundie and Jill Hitchin.
Parade goers watched as Mitzi Mecham and two float loads of youngsters turned out as Harry Potter, Darth Vader and other characters that will be featured in her upcoming Music n’ Me summer camps.
They watched some floats that are pretty unique to Hailey’s hometown parade, including a semi-load of men shoveling dirt as they advertised their landscaping and building services.
Kids with cutouts of pigs and cows biked the course, advertising the Blaine County Fair as temperatures climbed into the 80s. A blown up version of Santa on a motorcycle topped a truck load of Christmas presents, advertising a Toy Run that Diane Walker and volunteers have scheduled for Sept. 30.
And Elbie’s Bucking Car took its last run down the parade route, after snorting and lurching three feet off the ground for about three decades.
Grand Marshal Craig Aberbach—Hailey’s fire chief—was escorted by 13 engines from as far away as Carey, plus an assortment of other fire vehicles.
“If a fire breaks out, hopefully it’ll be here,” he quipped. “I’m truly honored to be grand marshal.
Britta and Pete Heaphy had Pete’s father Tom Heaphy in tow.
Father and son recounted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parades they had attended in New York where Pete grew up.
“But it’s always this parade that sticks out in my mind,” said Pete Heaphy. “Having my three kids along—that always made this a special parade for us.”