Southport held its fourth annual Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday. This year marked the 242nd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Despite the early morning heat, over 100 community members came to join in the festivities. The majority were dressed in an array of patriotic gear, ranging from hats signaling military service to the traditional red, white and blue.

Before the parade, visitors were treated to a variety of patriotic songs, including the national anthem, performed by the Boothbay Region Community Band. The Southport Library’s parking lot had a table with refreshments, Fourth of July beads, tattoos, trivia posters, eyeglasses and more. The tarmac was dotted with water bowls for four-legged friends, who were as appropriately dressed to celebrate the country’s birthday as their owners were.

Ronald Orchard, Southport native and Korean War veteran, was Grand Marshal and represented the Hendricks Hill Museum, celebrating its 30th annuversary. Orchard is one of the museum's founding members. Cousins Evelyn Sherman and Jean Thompson, also founding members, were parade honorees.

The day's celebration included the children of Southport, who each year do research on a topic and transform what they have learned into a historical float for the parade. This year’s theme was The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.

The parade had fire trucks, and children and adults both walking and on bikes and, quite memorably, a decorated John Deere tractor which towed a stuffed horse, meant to symbolize Paul Revere’s midnight ride to complement the children’s float.

Southport Island Association (SIA) Vice President Medea Harris was one of the head organizers of the parade.  “We are so fortunate to live in such a wonderful and supportive community. I think that is why this is such a fun, family event.”