Between 150,000 to 200,000 spectators lined University Avenue and Center Street in Provo on Saturday to see the 105 entrants of the Freedom Festival Grand Parade, sheltering briefly from a light rain that fell early.

"We got sprinkled on, but it didn't really rain on our parade," said Debbie Labrum, of Provo, who enjoyed the parade for her fifth time.

Paul Warner, executive director of the Freedom Festival, was grateful for all those who helped make the event run smoothly, especially those doing it for free.

"For me the great, impressive appreciation is from seeing all the volunteers that step forward and make this successful," he said after the parade.

In his 22nd year working with the event, Warner still enjoys the Independence Day show put on for the city of Provo and the state.

"It's just exciting to feel the spirit of independence and the spirit of freedom," he said, "and the parade seems to epitomize all that is good in America."

-- Daily Herald

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