The Banner is published Monday through Friday online by Ron Johnson
Copyright 2012-2013
Photo above left to right: Mac Gowin, Brian Raymond, Judd Gowin

Photos by Ron Johnson 
(unless noted)

THE FABULOUS LIQUID SUNSHINE PARADE!
A 48-minute parade in 5:06 minutes
By Ron Johnson, The Banner
Ann Swinkola, wife of Parade Grand Marshall Jim Swinkola

 

What a Fourth of July spirit there is in Banner Elk!  

 

"The recent rains dampened only the shoes of the hundreds and hundreds of parade watchers I saw.  Their internal spirit was ablaze with patriotism and celebration!

 

I had a great vantage point, from the seat of the Model A Ford Grand Marshall vehicle.  I was able to see the faces of children light up, as I wished them an enthusiastic "Happy Fourth of July" greeting.  They yelled back and waived small American flags on wooden sticks.  It was easy to see that parents and grandparents were accessing their inner child.  The excitement of seeing the fire truck, the police vehicles, the theme floats and the characters in costumes created a combination of sights, sounds and colors unique to the Fourth of July.  It was almost as if the nighttime fireworks had started." -Jim Swinkola, 2013 Parade Grand Marshall

 

(Note: Jim will retire at the end of the year as CEO of Grandfather Home for Children in Banner Elk. He has been at the helm of the nationally noted home for three decades. The home is currently celebrating 100 years.)

 
Jim Swinkola, Grand Marshall, being driven by
Buck Wellborn in Buck's exquisite Model A Ford.
Photos of the Swinkola's by April Miller

Tom McMurray, Esq, left, carries the banner with Tim Howard
FABULOUS JOB, JO-ANN!

4th of July in The One Stoplight Town
The Parade-The Party in the Park-The Pig Roast

At the end of this is a link to each event
on The Banner Facebook page
The Voice of Banner Elk, Roy Krege
Master of the games for kids at Party in the Park
Robin and Mike Dunn orchestrated the Dunn Family Reunion
and put on a fabulous fundraiser and pig roast for Billy Dunn
Freckles with Dr. Janet and Allen Speer
Fancy cars parade into a sea of umbrellas
Billy Dunn needs a kidney and a great fundraiser was held
at Dunn's Deli yesterday. Billy gets lots of kisses from
girlfriend, mother and aunt.
Mike Dunn, the master of BBQ
Lee Rankin, owner of Apple Hill Farm, with the famous Mr. Pickles
Mr. Woolly Worm, Roy Krege, hitches up his Woolly Worm pants
as he directs yet another event for kids at Party in the Park
by the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club. 

THE BEST SMALL TOWN PARADE IN AMERICA!
Click here to see 156 Parade Photos on The Banner Facebook

DUNN'S DELI ANNUAL PIG ROAST

PARTY IN THE PARK 
Banner Elk Kiwanis Club
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Carroll Hickman with his grandkids in the parade. What could be better?

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THE BANNER
Celebrating Banner Elk, North Carolina!
The People. The Beauty. The Spirit.

Published Mon-Fri online by Ron Johnson 
Copyright 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved