by Jacquie Kubin, editor Donne Tempo Magazine

Antioch, IL...Every town seems to have a 4th of July Parade filled with floats, patriotism and marching bands.

This year I was fortunate enough to return to where I spent the summers of my childhood throughout my teens -- Antioch, Illinois. Things have changed.

There is a Walmart where there used to be corn fields. Housing developments now stand where farm houses once stood.

But Main Street is still there. And it is still  lined with great buildings in classic art deco motifs. The Las Vegas Diner still serves the best breakfast and their parade is still one of the best. Not because of fancy floats, but because you can't help but smile when you see the bright smile on this year's Miss Junior Peanut. And you can't help cry a little when everyone, from the smallest child to the oldest adult stands up and cheers when the Veterans of Foreign Wars guys march proudly by.

Now I live near Washington. D.C. and they have some great parades. But not one of them surpasses the parades that move proudly down the many Main Streets of America.

Glad I was here. Need to make it back more often.

Our flag flies over Main Street and the parade/Jacquie Kubin

A vintage firetruck/Photo Jacquie Kubin

Veterans of Foreign Wars march down Main Street/J. Kubin

The Kiwana's Little Miss Peanut/J. Kubin

A vintage Ford Fairlane carry's Antioch's Mayor L. Hanson

Briana, age 11, wears the red, white & blue and a great smile.

The Marching Sequoits/Jacquie Kubin

A four-legged fan of the parade/Jacquie Kubin

A trio of patriotic ladies/Jacquie Kubin

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