ARLINGTON – This year’s traditional Fourth of July Grand Parade had the kind of energy that would have made our nation’s founding fathers feel like kids again.

Nowhere was that more evident than in the first-place float winner, 10-month-old Ledger Greenfield from Lake Stevens. He dressed as Benjamin Franklin in knee-breaches, waistcoat, thigh-high stockings and a powdered wig, riding in a decorated red wagon equipped with an airborne kite and pulled by his dad, Bob, who wore a one hundred dollar bill smock.

Residents turned out in droves for the Arlington Frontier Days and Old Fashioned Fourth’s longstanding traditional Independence Day parade – both kiddies and grand – hosted by the Stilly Valley Chamber.

The parades weren’t all about the Benjamins, though.

There were plenty of community entries that made their way along downtown Olympic Avenue, including colorful floats, decked out vehicles, veterans, first responder and historic vehicles, the community marching band, cheerleaders, scouts, horses, Darrington Rodeo queen and princesses, and more.

The little ones got the celebration started.

In the Kiddies Parade, children in red, white and blue apparel walked, bicycled, rode scooters, or took a ride in a fire truck to take in the view three or four people deep of parade spectators.

The Grand Parade kicked off with a mixed military honor guard, follow by parade grand marshal Jerry Vanney, a volunteer at Cascade Valley Hospital for over 30 years.