BIRCH RUN -- Everyone celebrating Independence Day at Birch Run's Fourth of July parade Wednesday seemed to take the mid-90 degree heat in stride, even those in uniform.
"It'll be a little warm today, but we'll make it,” said Barry Cusick with the Birch Run V.F.W. Post 7542.
The overbearing sun didn't subdue the crowds flanking the streets downtown, but kept parade goers strategic about staking out their piece of shade and finding ways to stay cool.
“Well, we don't live that far away, so if we have to, we can go home and get a drink of water,” Laura Letterman said.
Anne Grant hasn’t missed a parade in more than 30 years, and was not about to let this year be the first.
"Sippy cup full of fresh ice water, and we'll just deal,” she described her plan of attack to beat the heat.
“It's absolutely beautiful. Don't mind a little sweat."
It’s a small price to pay, she says, for the freedoms she enjoys every day.
“Because it shows our support for the freedom that we're entitled to by living in the United States," Grant added.
And for these folks, there's no better way to celebrate being an American, than by sporting their red white and blue under a hot July sun.
