LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (WLOS) — Across the area different communities are coming together to celebrate America’s birthday, including Lake Junaluska in Haywood County with its annual Independence Day parade.
The theme of this year's 4th of July parade at Lake Junaluska is “Let Freedom Ring.”
Many lining the parade route along North Lakeshore Drive said coming here is a family tradition.
“We're celebrating the 4th of July with Lake Junaluska which we've done for 40 years,” said Kevin Long.
He and Patty Long made the trek from South Carolina, describing this parade as special.
“I think it's family. It's families getting together having a good time and it's a peaceful and happy time,” Patty Long said.
She said it’s special too for grandkids Sadie and Hadley.
"Going to the candy store and spending time with my family,” said Sadie Colston.
It's a similar refrain for Jeff Moore from Waynesville, but welcoming family from Raleigh.
“It's a great venue especially for the grandkids. The community around here really likes this, and it brings the community together. It's a great event,” Moore said
He said it’s a parade representing America’s basic premise of freedom.
“It's super safe. And you're right here, right next to it. So, it's perfect,” said Dave Nicholson.
Nicholson is hosting family from Greenville and said it's the best parade around.
“It's just like small-town America...golf carts, fire trucks and the whole thing. And it's a beautiful setting,” Nicholson said. “We're just proud to be here and we're very thankful to live in a country and a county that we live in.”
It's a parade dating back to the '70's with committed attendance.
“We've done this for several years now. It's turned into an annual event,” said Moore.
The festivities continue at Lake Junaluska on Saturday with a performance by popular bluegrass band Balsam Range at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, at Stuart Auditorium.