Westport shows its patriotic spirit at Fourth of July parade

WESTPORT — Miss Fall River Outstanding Teen Julia Hurley lives in town and likely could have chosen another parade to march in.

But the Greater Fall River teen and her mom noted that they wanted to represent Westport.

Temperatures edged close to 90 on Wednesday, but that love of Westport expressed by Hurley shined through among all participants at the annual Independence Day parade.

From a swimming pool, local sports farm themes and even a "Wizard of Oz" float, Westport’s rural and creative spirits were celebrated and well represented.

The grand marshal was retiring Deputy Fire Chief Sam Manley. Manley noted that his grandfather Charlie Keith was once the marshal and he has participated in the parade as a member of the fire department for 33 years.

“It’s an honor,” Manley said about being named the parade marshal.

“It’s going to be a hot day,” parade president David Palmer said, while riding down the parade route moments before the start. Wiping sweat from his brow, Palmer still displayed a smile, and such was the case for other enthusiastic parade-goers.

“It’s quintessential Westport,” state Sen. Michael Rodrigues said.

Rodrigues stood by Army veteran Al Cote, also known as “Cowboy Al.”

Staying true to form and representing Westport, the charismatic Cote put one foot on his float -- in a cowboy pose -- and then noted how his wagon float had a 19th century-style covered wagon.

Fellow veteran and town Veterans Agent Brad Fish laughed, and noted how despite the weather, he still had a few veterans show up to celebrate America’s birthday.

Cub Scouts pack 100 leader Matthew Forbes displayed the same jovial and creative spirit. He lined up his cub scouts on his float, with barbecue grills and other camp-themed items. Forbes, like previous years, then blared some rock music as the parade began.

The scouts’ float and an AC/DC song swept parade goers back to the late 20th century. Some took Westporters back 100 years earlier.

Allan Waters and Thomas Tripp, participants in the town’s annual agricultural fair, dressed in straw hats and overalls, and put together a float based on tractors and other parts that they use for the fair.

Westport’s youth sports was well represented. From baseball to soccer, young kids dressed in uniform and paid tribute to their respective sports.

“(Westport) Travel Soccer is alive and well,” beamed Westport United Youth Soccer President Fernando Larguinha, posing with a travel team and a giant inflatable soccer ball.

The A.J. Potter family celebrated another element of Westport -- its beaches. With a pretend lifeguard, sand, and two inflatable kid pools, the Potter family paid tribute to Westport’s aquatic nature.

Some of the swimmers had squirt guns out and squirted passers-by. Thanks to the heat, nobody complained.

“It’s about keeping cool. That’s the idea,” Colleen Potter said.