The Wyandotte Academy Youth Choir participate in the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade down Biddle Avenue.
Shriner clowns entertain during the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – Bands played, politicians waved, veterans groups provided color guards and Shriners entertained attendees during the annual Fourth of July parade down Biddle Avenue.
A police honor guard led the parade, followed by police vehicles with flashing lights and gleaming red firetrucks.
Mayor Robert DeSana, City Treasurer Todd Browning, state Sen. Darrin Camilleri, City Council members and their families walked the route, waving to supporters under bright blue skies.
World War II veteran Richard “Pops” Pastula was all smiles as he rode in his motorized wheelchair along Biddle Avenue.
Civic volunteers and longtime members of Wyandotte Community Alliance, Corki Benson and Margaret Loya, served as the parade’s grand marshals.
Veterans from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1136, Vietnam Veterans of America Downriver Chapter 259, American Legion Post 217 and the American Legion Riders, the Disabled American Veterans Downriver Chapter 102, the Polish League of American Veterans, the Blue Star Mothers Lake Erie Chapter 184 showed their support.
Youth groups walking the route included the Rogalin Polish Dance Troupe, baton twirlers from Janet’s School of Dance in Taylor, Wyandotte Martial Arts, the Wyandotte Indians 2022 Downriver Junior Football League Peanut Bowl Champions, Downriver Gymnastics, the Wyandotte Academy Youth Choir and a local team representing the American Youth Soccer Organization.
Councilmember Kelly Stec (left, driving cart), supporter Louise Pastula and her father Richard (“Pops”) Pastula (in wheelchair), a World War II veteran, participate in the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
The Wyandotte Stars vintage base ball team hit a home run with fans along the parade route, followed by an impressive array of trucks from the Wyandotte Municipal Services Department.
A group of remote-controlled car enthusiasts captivated parade attendees as they zoomed around the pavement and performed tricks.
Providing music were the Downriver Community Band, the Great Lakes Drum Corps Alumni and the Wyandotte Roosevelt High School marching band.
The Knights of Columbus marched in full regalia, followed by a local Jeep enthusiast group.
Russ and Brian of the Blues Brothers Tribute rode on the hood of a vintage police cruiser.
Twirlers from Janet’s School of Dance in Taylor participate in the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
The Senior Miss Amazing 2023 winner Elizabeth Ottenbreit rode in a classic convertible. The pageant is designed to build self-esteem in participants with disabilities.
Bo Bo the Clown pedaled the parade on his unicycle, followed by Shriner clowns and the Zap Zone mascot interacting with onlookers.
Other Shriners entertained, whether on motorized magic carpet rides, in a clown car, in a stagecoach with robbers on minibikes, in miniature fire engines or as part of the Keystone Kops revue.
Children enjoyed scrambling for candy generously supplied by many of the parade participants, while other parade walkers distributed American flags to onlookers.
A police color guard leads the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
Longtime Wyandotte Community Alliance members Corki Benson (left) and Margaret Loya serve as grand marshals for the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
Children from the Rogalin Polish Dance Troupe participate in the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
The American Legion Riders participate in the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
A youngster enjoys waving American flags during the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
The Disabled American Veterans participate in the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
The Downriver Community Band plays during the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
Russ and Brian’s Blues Brothers Tribute participate in the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
Bo Bo the Clown entertains during the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
The Great Lakes Drum Corps Alumni perform during the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
The Wyandotte Roosevelt Marching Band (above and below) performs during the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
Shriner clowns entertain during the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.
The Keystone Kops Detroit Shriners entertain during the Wyandotte Fourth of July Parade.