Isaiah Watson, middle, Hayden Auger, left, and Noah Shurz, all 9, and members of Boy Scout Troop 286, sing the national anthem before the start of the 7th annual Park Hill Fourth of July parade that went along 23rd Avenue on July 4, 2016 in Denver, Colorado.
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
The Dazzling Diamonds perform during the seventh annual Park Hill Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2016.
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
Elyse enjoys a sucker during the seventh annual Park Hill Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2016.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Bea Stiefel, right, with Urban Farms of Stapleton, tries to pull her goat Sugar along the parade route during the 7th annual Park Hill Fourth of July parade that went along 23rd avenue on July 4, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The popular parade started at Dexter and ended at Krameria streets. Over 800 people participated in the parade and over 5,000 people attended it.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Princesses with Wands and Wishes wave to the crowd as they take part in the 7th annual Park Hill Fourth of July parade that went along 23rd avenue on July 4, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The popular parade started at and ended at Krameria streets. Over 5,000 people attended the parade.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Ainsley Bonds, left, 2 and her brother Cade, 5, right, with Park Hill UMC Children's Center, spray water onto parade goers from their bus during the 7th annual Park Hill Fourth of July parade that went along 23rd avenue on July 4, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The popular parade started at Dexter and ended at Krameria streets. Over 800 people participated in the parade and over 5,000 people attended it.
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
A horse is led through the seventh annual Park Hill Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2016.
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
A member of Boy Scout troop 286 holds American flags to give to spectators during the seventh annual Park Hill Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2016.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Gemma Fedele, 7, holds an American Flag as she watches the 7th annual Park Hill Fourth of July parade that went along 23rd avenue on July 4, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The popular parade started at Dexter and ended at Krameria streets. Over 800 people participated in the parade and over 5,000 people attended it.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Over 5,000 people turned out to watch and enjoy the 7th annual Park Hill Fourth of July parade that went along 23rd avenue on July 4, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The popular parade started at and ended at Krameria streets. Over 5,000 people attended the parade. The popular parade started at Dexter and ended at Krameria streets. Over 800 people participated in the parade and over 5,000 people attended it.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Jonathan Brackett, 13, with the American Flag, and other members of boy scout troop 376 get ready to lead the 7th annual Park Hill Fourth of July parade that went along 23rd avenue on July 4, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The popular parade started at and ended at Krameria streets. Over 5,000 people attended the parade.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Taryn Powers, right, with her goat Cinnamon, middle and Bea Stiefel, left, with her goat Sugar, from Urban Farms of Stapleton, walk along the parade route during the 7th annual Park Hill Fourth of July parade that went along 23rd avenue on July 4, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The popular parade started at Dexter and ended at Krameria streets. Over 800 people participated in the parade and over 5,000 people attended it.
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
Dan Segers points out a float to his son Dean during the seventh annual Park Hill Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2016.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Members of the Minnesota United South Central High School Marching Rebels band perform during the 7th annual Park Hill Fourth of July parade that went along 23rd avenue on July 4, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The popular parade started at Dexter and ended at Krameria streets. Over 800 people participated in the parade and over 5,000 people attended it.
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
Niko Anton and Finn Miller ride a wagon during the seventh annual Park Hill Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2016.
Every year, the Park Hill Historic Neighborhood has a Fourth of July Parade, complete with small children catching candy thrown from floats, panting dogs in festive outfits and doting moms, dads and grandparents who watch the children enjoy the festivities.
“It’s a fun community parade,” said Carol Spensley.
“With nice community support,” added her husband Skip.
They’ve lived in the neighborhood for 26 years and have attended the parade almost every year since it started nearly a decade ago. On Monday, they sat in their matching camping chairs in the cool shade of a huge elm tree and smiled as the parade passed by.
At the Salvation Army shelter on 29th Street off Brighton Boulevard, about four miles west of the Park Hill parade, a different community gathered to mark the holiday. Nearly 700 men lined up for burgers, hot dogs, chips, sodas and a nice cool place to sit and socialize while they ate their Independence Day lunch.
“Holidays tend to accentuate the need,” said Steve Bradley, the Salvation Army Metro Denver regional coordinator. “Holidays tend to represent family activities and being with family. Many of the people who are here, their family isn’t with them.”
In the crowded hall where the men sat to eat, they joked with each other and shared warm embraces with people they likely haven’t seen in a while.
The picnic offered community support similar to what the Spensleys and their neighbors experienced at their parade.
Tony Corrales, a volunteer and member of the Salvation Army’s Stepping Up program, is an Air Force veteran who has struggled with PTSD and manic depression. Volunteering at the shelter helped fulfill his need to give back to his community.
“It’s not just a matter of food — it’s a matter of working with them and trying to help them in their spirit,” Bradley said. “To let them know that they’re welcome and they’re family. And that we love them and that God loves them.”
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
A woman on the Miss Colorado float waves to parade watchers during the seventh annual Park Hill Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2016.
