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As anyone who happened to be in Elkins last Friday afternoon or evening would surely attest, the city had a big turnout for this year's Fourth of July celebration.
The fun, family friendly activities began with the first-ever July 4th Parade organized by Citizens Promoting Community. The parade kicked off at 5 p.m., running from the intersection of 11th Street and South Davis Avenue, and ending at City Hall.
The parade, which featured bands, floats, twirl groups and local dignitaries honoring the patriotic holiday, was attended by an enthusiastic crowd.
Those visiting downtown Elkins Friday afternoon could also enjoy the Mountain State Street Machines' annual Pre-Car Show Cruise-in, featuring hundreds of classic cars, hot rods and more preparing to line the streets of for the annual Mountain State Street Machines Car Show on Saturday.
New for this year, the Our Town Summer Concert Series shows are now taking place on Friday nights, moved from Thursday evenings, so July 4th revelers were able to enjoy the musical performance by Fleetwood Macked: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute, on the Rotary Amphitheater stage.
Elkins Town Square was packed with music lovers for the Fleetwood Macked show, despite the punishing 90-degree heat persisting into Friday evening.
After the concert ended, fireworks lit up Elkins' downtown skies, with a colorful display that was well-received by the many people who parked their vehicles -- or sat in folding chairs -- in downtown parking lots to enjoy the "big boomers."
In another change for this year's event, the fireworks were set off above the four-way intersection across from the All Veterans Memorial in Elkins Friday night, leading to the cheers and "oohs" and "ahs" of the delighted crowd below.
Efforts to increase the number of events for this year's July 4th celebration in Elkins clearly led to bigger crowds, more community participation, and hopefully an economic benefit for businesses in the town.
We are grateful for the hard work of all the organizers who helped put together such a fun-filled evening for the community.