COLYER — If someone asks what the Fourth of July is all about, many folks might respond with tales of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution and men named Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Hamilton. Memories of big patriotic parades, with marching bands playing Sousa marches and flags flying high in the breeze, or stories of spectacular displays of fireworks in the night sky might also be shared.
But, underneath all the excitement lies a grass-roots patriotism that often manifests itself in more subtle ways. One of those more subdued celebrations can be seen in the tiny village of Colyer in Potter Township.
Every July 4 for the last 21 years, the community has put on its own parade and hosted a community picnic. The parade had its origin in 1996, when five local men who owned antique tractors decided to drive their tractors, adorned with American flags, around the Colyer area to show them off. A tradition was born.
The parade, which has grown significantly over the years, forms at Doug and Jane Mothersbaugh’s farm on Lake Road, near Colyer Lake. Its route, which is about 3 1/2 miles long, makes zigzag turns onto five other roads and returns to the starting point. The long route and a couple steep hills essentially preclude any parade units making the trek on foot on a hot July day, so there are no marching bands, baton twirling groups or Boy Scouts.
Everyone in this year’s parade rode on wheeled vehicles. There were restored antique tractors, vintage cars, a Volkswagen Beetle wearing a giant hat and glasses, Detroit muscle cars, pickup trucks, ATVs, a dune buggy, fire trucks and floats on hay wagons. There was even a Neil Diamond impersonator performing on a trailer. Of course, all the vehicles were decked out in American Flags.
Following the parade, the farm became the site for a community picnic. Parade chairman Tom Kistler thanked everyone who helped organize and support the event and asked for more volunteers to help next year. Following the invocation by Colyer resident Bill Arnold, the crowd of community members and friends enjoyed an abundant meal. Tables were filled with food donated by residents and meat and beverages provided by the committee.
Visitors to Colyer on the Fourth of July will see happy people enjoying and celebrating the freedoms that form the heart of the nation, feeling grateful to those founding fathers who signed that famous declaration on another hot July day in 1776.
