The tallest ever Prickly Mountain float – featuring Lady Liberty – was a highlight of this year’s Warren Fourth of July celebration. The annual event brought crowds to Main Street and Brook Road for the parade and street dance as well as the festivities at Brooks Field. The parade consisted of many different varieties of floats that all revolved around this year’s parade theme: "Happy birthday to U.S."
Floats ranged from local businesses, politicians, antique cars, fire engines, ski resorts and more. Each float had an influx of color and design, as crowds flooded the sidewalks and near banks trying to get a good view.
The difference in the Warren parade compared to neighboring towns was the political message that some floats carried. Political floats were spotted in between live music floats and giant renditions of different styles of birthday cakes that towered high above tree branches. Lady Liberty was seen almost in the cloud level of the sky, as her makers from Prickly Mountain helped to take her down every couple hundred yards in a shipping crate, which was labeled, “Ship to Citizens of France, Elysee Palace, 7008 Paris, France.”
Other highlights of the parade were the Sip of Sunshine crowd with their signs and costumes made cleverly out of the Sip of Sunshine cans. The "God Bless Trump 2020" float with a water balloon toss at the president was also enjoyed by the crowd.
The crowd was also “feeling the Bern” as Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders marched through the parade with his team. Sanders, as always, was greeted with a roar of approval. Behind the crowd was another group supporting a “greener” Vermont as the marijuana law came into effect on July 1, with some parade members supporting an all green painted body with a “Jolly Green Joint” sign, looking like the Green Giant frozen and canned.
Official results from the judges are as follows:
Grand Marshal: Hannah’s House.
Best in Show: Sicky & the Crew.
Best in Theme: Sugarbush and its birthday celebrations.
Most Profound Patriotic Imagery (and tallest ever): Prickly Mountain crew.
Most Political: Temple of Dindor.
Best Agricultural Promotional: Hartshorn’s Cow Parade.
Best Kids: Sculpture School -- This is America.
Best Antique Farm Vehicle: 1936 Case Tractor with the Keith family.
Most Common T-Shirts: Bernie Sanders.
Best Water Balloon Toss: Carter and Alex Simko.
Grooviest Decorated Car: 1964 VW Bug with Geoff Duckworth.
Best Bike: Chicks on Bikes (and a couple of guys).
Best Community Recreation: Warren Skatepark.
Best Newcomer: Ann Whiting (and Fred).
Newest Commercial: Dave’s Community Fitness.
Best Political Jab: Nameless Unknown.
Best Independently Owned Ski Area: Mad River Glen.
Best Towing: Hap’s Service Station.
Most Athletic: Vermont Gymnastics.
Best New Endeavor: White Rooster Studio.
Most International: Au Pairs in Vermont.
Most Environmentally Friendly: Eco Equipment and Deirdre Holmes for electric lawnmowers.
Best Sports Car: Miss Vermont and Miss Outstanding Teen.
Most “Energetic”: SunCommon.
Steepest Climb: Dana Hill Class 4.
Best Help Wanted: Make America Grow Again.
Most Uplifting: Sugarbush Soaring.
Most Compassionate: Vermont Cares.
Most Musical: MRV Light & Sound.
Best Antique Car: 1946 Jeep Willys.
Best Antique Trucks: Viens and DiMario.
Best Decorated: Beyond Bipartisanship designed by Lars Fisk.
Most Hopeful for Our Future: Veterans of Peace.
Best Political Engagement: Vote on August 14 and all the political candidates.
