It's been many years since Lexington Park saw this big of a parade and from the response of the citizens of our area they were ready for it. It was a picture perfect day on Saturday and it's like it was ordered by the parade committee to happen this way. The purpose of the parade was to celebrate the revitalization of the main highway (Maryland Route 246) that runs through the main part of Lexington Park. It has been a few years since they started the construction process but they were finally finished and everyone was ready to cut the ribbon. Everyone staged in the rear of our Lexington Park station and were under the direction of our Chaplain Keith Fairfax who made sure things were running smoothly.

There were plenty of color guards and the marching band of Great Mills High School added that special touch that only a band can do in a parade. Walking in front just behind the Navy color guard was our County Commissioners along with other dignitaries from the county and the naval air station. Following behind them were a lot of mounted riders that were riding some beautiful horses and they were followed by floats and more marching units. In the end of the parade were your faithful fire department with all of our equipment cause what is a parade if you don't have a few fire trucks.

I was happy to see all the people that had showed up and they were lined up along side Essex South then along Maryland Route 246 or as we like to call it Great Mills Road. I got to see plenty of familiar faces and it's always nice to be in your own hometown. The smiles on the faces of all the kids is special and while driving along the route I heard a lady shout out that she loved us now can you ask for anything better than that. I don't know of anything than hearing that the people that we love and protect feel the same way about us.

I was honored to have Photographer John Douglass ride along with me and he was taking pictures to have on the Southern Maryland News website ( http://smnewsnet.com ) later in the next few days. Check them out because his are much better than mine but then he is a professional or at least that's what he tells me.

The end of the parade was at the alley between Raley's Sales Center and that is where we all finished up. Kudos's out to all our firefighters who showed up and worked so hard washing and waxing the equipment and then either drove or rode along in the parade. And you know there was not a trophy to be found so it was all done for the love of our community as it should be. Hope you enjoy the pictures.