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.)
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