Photos by Bonnie Cranmer
With all the preparations by Craig County community members, July 4th was expected to be quite an event. It ended up being much more than was expected. The Craig Valley Chapter NSDAR organized the 3rd Annual Craig County Independence Day Parade with the help of a multitude of volunteers. Families, local businesses, church groups and community organizations gathered to participate with floats, cars decorated in red, white and blue and a patriotic demonstration of what the July 4th holiday means. The road was secured by local police and community volunteers. A long line of floats, cars, bikes and even a golf cart followed the decorated John Deere tractor down the parade route. People lined Route 311 from the fairgrounds to Main Street, where the parade turned into a real celebration. The newly opened farmers market was buzzing with vendors and community organizations sharing the best of Craig County. Music filled the air from the “Tuesday Night Music Jammers.”
Fun was had by all, and the Craig County spirit was shared with the tourism commission providing free stickers detailing the animals on the unique mural on the farmers market wall. The public was invited to name the animals, deer, eagle, bear and cardinal. Future opportunities to get one of the stickers will be at the mural grand opening in August.
Blue Ridge Soaring Society passing New Castle Christian Church crowds.
A vintage John Deere tractor led the July 4th parade.
Craig Valley VFW won the “Most Patriotic” category for the second year in a row.
