STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Wood River Valley fire engines always manage to catch children’s attention with their pulsating sirens at the beginning of the Hailey Fourth of July Parade.

But this year a little Japanese fire truck bringing up the rear of parade captivated them, as well.

Children besieged the tiny fire truck every time it stopped, hoping to get one of the free plush toys being handed out.

A grumpy looking George Washington and happier looking Martha were among those in the parade.

After an hour of scurrying for candy and popsicles, they were only too glad to turn their attention to the animal combos—a half-shark, half-horse named Hork, for instance—created by Ketchum residents Nick Harman and Casey Finnegan.

The animals are paired with a book that touts that it’s our differences that make us special.

The crowds of kids rushing the truck initially bedeviled police officers on bicycles trying to keep the parade route safe. But, soon, they had it under control.

“This is such a treat,” said Hilary Miller, with her daughter Remington. “We live outside Dallas and, if we were home, it would be 105—not in the 70s, like it is here. What a great parade.”

Nick Harman and his Randimals were besieged with children hoping to snag a plush toy every time the Japanese fire truck stopped along the route.

Dawn Shotwell and her grandchildren August and Eric were among those who played pioneers for Carey’s contribution to the parade.

Marchers reminded spectators of the need to work if they want to preserve American democracy another 250 years.