Residents and visitors filled the streets of Ripley on Friday for the city's annual Fourth of July celebration, just as they have every year for more than a century.
Residents and visitors filled the streets of Ripley on Friday for the city's annual Fourth of July celebration, just as they have every year for more than a century.
Despite the persistent rain, crowds formed deep along Main Street and huddled under umbrellas in the courthouse square, as star-spangled parade floats drifted by.
People watch the Ripley Fourth of July Parade from under a porch roof to avoid the ever-present rain.
The celebration has remained much the same over the years, with live music, homemade food and radiant fireworks. Most residents can hardly remember a year they haven't come to the festivities. Former community members also migrate back to Ripley on Independence Day, swelling its population from 3,500 to about 10,000 some years.
However, things are changing in the small Jackson County community, as surely as they are in similar towns across the United States, and residents said they hope the storms will soon pass, bringing more peace and prosperity to next year's celebration of freedom.
"We're here to celebrate our independence today," said Tyler Deyer, 21, of Ripley, "but people can't come out like they used to, with gas prices. Some people have to drive 20 minutes to get into town, and they can't afford that now. It's really hurting business"
Fuel prices also weighed heavily on the Ripley Volunteer Fire Department, the manpower behind the July Fourth celebration. The men and women of Station 30 helped all day, setting up for the parade and making safety decisions about the fireworks display, while manning the station in case of an emergency.
The slumping economy means it's harder to keep the department well supplied and recruit volunteers, who can use half a tank of gasoline if they make several trips to the station in a day, said Paul Hesson, a firefighter with the department.
"Our fuel costs are through the roof, and it's really starting to hit hard," he said. Fewer volunteers mean lives and property can be seriously at risk. Community members support as much as they can, but money is tight for most everyone, the firefighters said.
On Friday, they watched from the station on Main Street, as campaign supporters and candidates carrying posters mingled with antique cars and pageant queens along the parade route.
Residents and visitors filled the streets of Ripley on Friday for the city's annual Fourth of July celebration, just as they have every year for more than a century.
Despite the persistent rain, crowds formed deep along Main Street and huddled under umbrellas in the courthouse square, as star-spangled parade floats drifted by.
The celebration has remained much the same over the years, with live music, homemade food and radiant fireworks. Most residents can hardly remember a year they haven't come to the festivities. Former community members also migrate back to Ripley on Independence Day, swelling its population from 3,500 to about 10,000 some years.
However, things are changing in the small Jackson County community, as surely as they are in similar towns across the United States, and residents said they hope the storms will soon pass, bringing more peace and prosperity to next year's celebration of freedom.
"We're here to celebrate our independence today," said Tyler Deyer, 21, of Ripley, "but people can't come out like they used to, with gas prices. Some people have to drive 20 minutes to get into town, and they can't afford that now. It's really hurting business"
Fuel prices also weighed heavily on the Ripley Volunteer Fire Department, the manpower behind the July Fourth celebration. The men and women of Station 30 helped all day, setting up for the parade and making safety decisions about the fireworks display, while manning the station in case of an emergency.
The slumping economy means it's harder to keep the department well supplied and recruit volunteers, who can use half a tank of gasoline if they make several trips to the station in a day, said Paul Hesson, a firefighter with the department.
"Our fuel costs are through the roof, and it's really starting to hit hard," he said. Fewer volunteers mean lives and property can be seriously at risk. Community members support as much as they can, but money is tight for most everyone, the firefighters said.
On Friday, they watched from the station on Main Street, as campaign supporters and candidates carrying posters mingled with antique cars and pageant queens along the parade route.
Candidates for state and local offices marched in the parade, including Representative Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Anne Barth, her challenger for West Virginia's Second Congressional District.
Residents remember well President Bush's visit to the July Fourth celebration in Ripley in 2002, but many have turned their thoughts to November's general election.
"I'm sure the election will change things a little for the better, but we need a lot better," said Ron Rowley, who has attended the celebration with his partner, Tammy Bibbee, for more than 22 years. "By next year, I hope there'll be no war."
For the Veterans of Foreign Wars ladies auxiliary in Ripley, the soldiers and the war were of highest priority.
The group sold concessions in patriotic aprons, raising money to support veterans and their families. A few watched with tear-filled eyes as military representatives marched by in the parade.
"You can just hope that it does get better," said Vicki Stalnaker, president of the group. "They're what we're about today; they've fought and died for us."
Despite the struggles that face West Virginians, the community will be able to weather the difficulties if they work together, said Hessen, the firefighter.
"When you look out at the street today, you've got to have hope," he said. "It shows a lot of promise and that nothing is insurmountable."
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Posted By: libertylover(12:30am 07-05-2008)
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Ripley throws another parade and party that has little to do with defending our freedom and liberties stated in Constitutional law. Really, what is a "pageant queen" anyway...what virtues do they represent? This is a tradition but how does it "honor America" really? The headline is rather flattering instead of reporting fact.
Flag-waving is not patriotism, it is mere show. July 4th was used by car dealers and others to sell their merchandise, not defend liberties being trampled.
The founders made clear that government is the greatest threat to liberty historically than any external enemies, and it is government that is legislating ours away while everyone waves a flag.
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Flag-waving is not patriotism, it is mere show. July 4th was used by car dealers and others to sell their merchandise, not defend liberties being trampled.
The founders made clear that government is the greatest threat to liberty historically than any external enemies, and it is government that is legislating ours away while everyone waves a flag.