For once, the rain decided to take the day off during this recent record-setting rainfall season.

That was good news for the more than 70 floats, five bands and countless spectators who lined Main Street in Bellefontaine Sunday afternoon, Sept. 20, to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. 

Logan County’s America 250 Parade brought a little bit of everything to downtown Bellefontaine — music, marching bands, firetrucks, tanks, veterans, colorful floats and, most importantly, a community that came out to celebrate together………

As the parade made its way along Main Street, families and friends gathered along the route, cheering for the hometown organizations, businesses, churches and groups that filled the parade lineup.

There was no shortage of music. Five bands participated in the celebration – from Bellefontaine, Benjamin Logan, Indian Lake, Riverside and West Liberty-Salem marching bands - something Bellefontaine Mayor Dave Crissman particularly appreciated.

“This was a great parade,” Crissman said. “We don't get a lot of bands in the Christmas parade, but we had a lot here today. This was fantastic.”

For Crissman, the biggest highlight may have been seeing just how many people turned out.

“Bellefontaine and Logan County just came out for this today,” he said.

That they did. The parade was more than a procession down Main Street. It was a chance for the community to pause from the ordinary and celebrate an extraordinary milestone, the 250th anniversary of the United States.