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The Fourth of July didn't require fireworks to remind neighbors in Farmers Branch what community looks like.
Instead, it looked like decorated bicycles, children waving American flags, neighbors walking together under the shade of mature trees, firefighters and police officers joining tug-of-war games and a community-built celebration that has become a neighborhood tradition.
The annual Farmers Branch July 4 Walking Parade returned Saturday to Golfing Green Drive, where organizer Marta Lusk shifted the starting point across the greenway this year in search of more shade while keeping the familiar parade route intact. In existence since 2005 when the Derrick family began the traditional parade, the event is entirely grassroots, organized by neighbors who volunteer their time and supplies to make it happen.
Participants of all ages made their way along the greenbelt, many dressed in red, white and blue while children rode bicycles, scooters and wagons decked out for Independence Day.
Everyone who entered the bike decorating contest received a token to the Frog Pond from the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department. The grand prize, a season pass to the Frog Pond, went to 9-year-old Anani Figueroa.
After the parade, the celebration continued with old-fashioned field day games, including tug-of-war, water balloon tosses, sack races, three-legged races, limbo, hula hoop contests and pie-eating competitions. Dozens of neighbors signed up in advance to sponsor games, donate supplies, provide snacks or volunteer, reflecting the community effort behind the annual event.
For some families, the tradition was brand new.
Jane and Ruban Camarillo said they discovered the event through Facebook only days before Independence Day. Despite living in Farmers Branch for 44 years, they had never heard about the neighborhood parade.
For others, attending has become part of celebrating the holiday.
"It's our absolute favorite," Whitney Cardona said as she walked with her 3-year-old daughter.
Farmers Branch firefighters and police joined the festivities throughout the morning, greeting families, helping present the bike decorating awards and even stepping into a spirited tug-of-war with children.
The celebration served as another reminder that some of the city's longest-lasting traditions don't come from large festivals or official ceremonies, but from neighbors willing to organize, volunteer and spend a holiday morning together.
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