By Rachel Sawicki

SMYRNA — The Smyrna-Clayton area celebrated Independence Day Saturday with its annual Fourth of July parade held by the Smyrna-Clayton July 4th Association.

Last year’s festivities, along with many events in communities across the state and nation, were canceled due to COVID-19 precautions, so residents were eager to gather with friends and family again.

Smyrna-Clayton is the state’s oldest Fourth of July parade held annually. The communities also hold an annual Christmas parade and memorial tree lighting ceremony, which were limited to vehicle and remote viewing in 2020.

Lynne Lowman grew up in Smyrna and lives on the parade route.

“We’ve always had Fourth of July celebrations [in Smyrna],” Mrs. Lowman said. “And we always get a front row seat when it comes by here.”

Her front yard Saturday was full of family, including her twin grandchildren who were born at the beginning of the pandemic. She said this Independence Day she’s celebrating the time she gets to spend with them.

Seven-year-old twins Abby and Allie Ball sat in the grass with their mom April to watch the parade. Abby already had a grape lollipop in her mouth and Allie waved her American flag. They said they were most looking forward to watching the horses go by.

“Everyone is really happy and friendly,” April Ball said. She noted that this year, she feels safe being around others again. “It looks like a really good crowd.”

Gov. John Carney, who walked with Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long in Saturday’s parade, said the parade is more than a celebration of America.

“It’s such a community celebration more than anything,” Gov. Carney said. “Smyrna-Clayton has just such a great community spirit and it’s a great parade to be in. There’s so many people lining the parade route and so many people in the parade too.”

Gov. Carney is also celebrating Delaware’s big push to reach the 70% COVID vaccination goal. He said an overwhelming 90% of people 65 and older are vaccinated with at least one dose, but now that younger kids are becoming eligible to be vaccinated, they’ll be the next focus group.

“I’m looking forward to getting school started in the fall, that’s the next big milestone,” Gov. Carney said. “The children have lost so much in-person instruction in the last year.”

Destiny Laberge of Smyrna was in the parade with her daughter Callie, representing Dickey’s Tree Service.

“It’s nice to see everybody’s faces, no masks covering their smiles, it feels really good,” Ms. Laberge said.

She said she feels comfortable being in the crowd with vaccination rates going up. She and Callie later stood atop their pickup truck waving to parade-watchers in their red, white and blue dresses.

Local community clubs, town and county representatives, fire departments and Little League teams were all represented in the parade. The NUR Shrine Mini-Choppers were Britain McNatt’s favorite group to buzz through the parade. He said he was happy to bring his friends and family together on a “perfect morning.”

“Being able to meet with friends and family on a holiday makes it extra special,” he said.