Prairie City Fire Chief Marvin Rynearson drives the department's antique fire truck down Front Street during the Fourth of July parade in Prairie City.

Fire trucks made up most of the vehicles or floats at this year’s Fourth of July parade in Prairie City, including Prairie City Fire Department’s giant deuce-and-a-half and antique Ford.

People from across Grant County lined Front Street around noon. Young children scrambled to scoop up candy thrown from the floats under bright blue skies.

Katie Johnson, 15, Mt. Vernon, sang the national anthem when the color guard reached McHaley Avenue. Johnson typically performs bluegrass with family members.

Johnson is gathering funds for her Calvary Horse Camp, which will be held at the Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church in John Day and the Grant County Fairgrounds from July 29 through Aug. 3.

This is the first year of her service project, Johnson said. The camp will provide riding opportunities for foster girls ages 9-12 from Grants Pass, Eugene, Salem, Pendleton and Portland, she said.

Prairie City resident Anna Marie Smith recently assumed the mantle for coordinating the Prairie City Fourth of July parade. Wanda Winegar organized things in past years.

The grand marshal this year was former Prairie City Fire Chief Dean Hicks, who drove his red 1991 Corvette in the parade.

A long line quickly formed near City Hall following the parade for tri-tip barbecue and strawberry shortcake. Hundreds of vehicles pulled up to the Oxbow Ranch outside of town around dusk for the city-sponsored fireworks display.

Parade results

Grand Champion: Grant County Wildfire Softball Team

Classic Car

First: Antique fire truck from the Prairie City Fire Department

Second: Grumpy’s Graphics

Third: Sherri Dowdy

Float

First: Sam Palmer and family

Second: Prairie City Senior Center

Third: Grant County Wildfire Softball Team

Walking Individual

First: Lloyd Fuller for Twice Upon A Time

Non-motorized

First: Tucker Carpenter on his mountain bike

Walking Group

First: American Legion color guard

Second: Chester’s Thriftway

Third: Prairie City High School cheerleaders and dance team

Horse-drawn

First: Del Raymond’s wagon and quarter horses

Second: Stiner family cart and miniature pony

Mounted Group

First: Grant County Fair and Rodeo Court, Queen Trinity Hutchison and Princess Courtney Nichols

Decorated Vehicle

First: Blue Mountain Care Center

ATVs and Dirt Bike

First: Gracey Kenyon on her dirt bike

Demolition Derby Car

First: Tyler Nodine

Second: Steve Patterson

Truck

First: Thunderbolt Fire Service

Second: Malheur National Forest

Emergency Vehicle

First: John Day City and Rural Fire Department

Second: Prairie City City and Rural Fire Department