MOUNTAIN TOP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Waves of red, white, and blue will be seen all across our nation as Americans celebrate the Fourth of July.
28/22's Sydney Kostus attended one of the patriotic events in Luzerne County where organizers know it's grown by the thousands.
Stepping off independence day in Luzerne County.
Scrantastic Spectacular kicks off the holiday weekend
South Mountain Boulevard in Mountain Top is covered in our nation's colors Friday morning.
"I love that we celebrate our freedom from Great Britain," voiced Aiden Paige, Mountain Top.
Thousands lined up to watch the 36th annual Mountain Top on the move parade.
Parade president Dianne Hopersberger says her duties have changed since the very first one in 1989.
"I got to be back on Kirby Avenue and close down the roadway in my police patrol car and I thought that was such a big thing! My smile was on there for the whole entire day, just planted," stated Hopersberger.
That smile still there, organizing more than 70 groups and businesses taking part in the Fourth of July celebration.
"The patriotism, the excitement, just everything about the parade. It's just community at the core, it's hometown America, it's just the DNA," expressed Connor Dempkosky, co-chairman, Mountain Top on the Move.
That community, described as something special.
"Very connected, very warm, very inviting. It's just a nice place to be where you know somebody everywhere you go," said Vicky Bartolotta, owner, Mountain Top Kids.
"It's a family place. Mountain Top is like a family, everybody helps everybody," added Kim Rosania, director, Mountain Top Kids.
This year's event growing in not just crowds but flags.
This one above the parade route hanging for just its second year.
"I'm a veteran and my partner joe is very supportive of the troops and always has been. It was his idea and we've gotten a lot of great feedback from the community," said Todd Schneider, U.S. Army veteran/co-owner, American Arborpro Tree Care.
The waving of the flag, bringing a wave of emotions to all reflecting on our country's freedom and service.
"Yeah, it means a lot to us. What this country went through and the people that sacrificed so much, you know," added Joseph Corner, co-owner, American Arborpro Tree Care.
And Dom Zampetti served as this year's Mountain Top on the Move's Grand Marshal.
He's dedicated more than thirty years as an instructor at Crestwood and a Wright Township Supervisor.
