NEWTON FALLS - Addisyn Chaplin had never been to a Fourth of July parade and the sirens of the Braceville Fire Department ladder trucks were not the infant's idea of fun. But her mother, Shandella Barrickman, held her safe as her grandpa looked on.
"I've been coming to these since I was little like her," said Greg Chaplin. Chaplin, 43, is a Newton Falls native, and he, Addisyn, Shandella and Gator Chaplin, 12, were among the hundreds who lined Broad Street Wednesday morning.
Remnants of Tuesday night's foul weather were nowhere to be found as dance groups, Boy Scout troops, unicyclists, farm machinery, engine-revving 2012 Camaros and flashing fire trucks made their way along the town's main drag.
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Tribune Chronicle / Chuck Rogers
Brody Belosic looks for treats thrown by parade participants Wednesday at Austintown’s Fourth of July parade.
The slow-moving vehicles threw so much candy that it seemed to rain from the stormless sunny sky above and children clamored around to pick up their share.
Flags were worn and waved all along the route and nearly all of the Falls' residents young and old seemed to boast Red, White and Blue regalia in some fashion.
Newton was not the only Trumbull County community to offer official festivities in honor of America's 236th birthday. At 10 a.m., the same time Newton Falls began its parade, Gustavus held a homecoming parade that included a king and queen contest and dinner put on by the Gustavus Church youth group.
Howland started even earlier with a 5K run and walk at 8 a.m., but also boasted a 10 a.m. parade. That procession ran from Hunters Square Plaza down East Market Street to Howland High School. A bicentennial celebration ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Richard Orwig Park. There was also a pet parade and contest and a car show at noon and a pizza-eating contest at 12:30 at Pizza Works.
McDonald Fire Department's Homecoming Festival and Parade began at 6 p.m. and proceeded along Ohio Avenue. The festival runs through Saturday with food, rides and games in the park, culminating with fireworks at 11 p.m. on Saturday.
Warren held festivities at Packard Music Hall, as the W.D. Packard Band performed at 8 p.m. on the south lawn, with fireworks after - at least until Wednesday night rainstorm swept through the area shortly before 10 p.m., ending some displays early.