Rose Lanigan – A crowd gathers in Caliente Monday morning to watch the annual Fourth of July Parade
As the Nation celebrated its 240th birthday, the City of Caliente also had a huge celebration this year.
Marking over 80 years of service to the community the Caliente Volunteer Fire Department started the celebration with Fireman Randy Rowe setting off their yearly series of six “Sunrise Salute” wake-up booms at 6 a.m.
The fire department’s breakfast was, as usual, packed with hundreds of Lincoln County residents, friends and family and lots of good food.
At 11 a.m. the Caliente Fourth of July Parade began. The Caliente VFW Post 7114 Color Guard presented the colors to start the parade, followed by a variety of local business and church floats, local sports and talents, off road bikes, street bikes and bicyclists. This year’s Grand Marshall Tommy Rowe was honored, and a variety of classic cars, including a 1929 Ford Model A entered by Bill Williams of Pioche, were also participants in the parade. The BLM’s truck with special guest Smokey the Bear waved to the children and was followed by the fire department trucks.
Rose Lanigan – A patriotic 1929 Ford Model A was entered by Bill Williams of Pioche into the Caliente parade
The Caliente Olsen Senior Center was hard at work providing cold water, soda, popcorn hot dogs and snacks throughout the parade.
After the parade were kids games. “At the kids games everybody is a winner,” said Caliente Volunteer Fireman John Tibbetts Jr. All who participated received winnings that were donated by local businesses. “A great big thank you to all who donated to the kids games,” said Tibbetts.
Pioche Volunteer Fire Department won the softball grudge match, “But we will see them in September for the match up against them on Labor Day,” Tibbetts said.
Rose Lanigan – The Caliente VFW Post 7114 Color Guard presented the colors to start the events
The fun-filled day ended at Rose Park, where the Caliente VFW Post 7114 Color Guard again presented the colors and Keith Larson gave a spectacular performance singing our National Anthem prior to the fantastic display of fireworks.
A big thanks to Keith Larson for singing the National Anthem, Tracey Weideman and Laura Tibbetts for organizing the parade, parade participants and to all the volunteer firemen and their families for helping from sun up to sun down to make this year’s celebration a success.
