Horses and wagons, tractors, pets and children adorned in red, white and blue, a youthful Elvis, a Raggedy Ann on roller skates and the hundreds of people lined up throughout downtown Cave Spring showed the world how a small town celebrates its country’s birthday Wednesday morning.

For 28 years residents have been getting up early to show their patriotism and spirit during the annual Fourth of July parade.

Children jumped up and down shouting, “It’s coming, it’s coming,” as hundreds of Cave Spring residents made their way down the street.

Joe Brock relaxed on his motorcycle. He drove from Rome to see the parade in the shade near Rolater Park.

“It’s down to earth,” said Brock, who added he is a regular at the parade.

It was already warm — about 85 degrees — when the parade began with flags that had flown over missions in Afghanistan.

A Cave Spring police officer blared his siren and told the crown “Happy Fourth of July,” occasionally mentioning someone he noticed on the sidelines.

“I truly think this may be the biggest one ever,” said organizer Christa Jackson, who dresses as the Statue of Liberty each year. “I was worried because it was in the middle of the week.”

Children scrambled for candy thrown by politicians campaigning and “oohed and ahhed” over the floats and participants.

But they did not forget what July 4 is about.

When asked what the holiday meant, Jalyn and Jonna Massey agreed — it’s about freedom.