GRIFTON — Shad Festival-goers strolled down Queen Street in Grifton Saturday morning as the occasional sound of sirens blasted in the distance.
The parade was coming.
As the first parade group marched closer, people in the street parted to either side like the Red Sea.
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing band from Cherry Point was the first group to make music as the grand marshal, Grifton School Teacher of the Year Shakela Knight, followed behind.
Behind them came countless fire trucks and other vehicles, Miss Grifton — Bryanna Hawkins, a variety of Sudan Shriners’ mini-vehicles and, of course, lots of clowns.
Hyjer Barnes, 9, of Kinston, said he likes the clowns best “because they’re funny.”
“The clowns,” Ameliy Roach, 8, of Grifton, said is her favorite in the parade.
Sarah Brick, 7, of Ayden, whispered to her mother, “I love everything but the clowns. They freak me out.”
But then she added, “except for the one that pulled his pants down.”
Her mother, Debra Brick, said she enjoys the festival because it’s something different and fun for her children to do.
The Sudan Shriners Animated Animals bus rolled by with a dancing gorilla and other animal characters waving and giving hugs to children.
Sequoia Coleman, 10, of Ayden, said she was “having a good time because I get to see a lot of characters that play in different kinds of shows, like Clifford, the Big Red Dog.”
Dariyn Coleman, 12, said he likes the “rides, the bands, the music and the beats.”
“I like the cars,” Jesse Martinez, 10, of Dover, said, “the cars with the music.”
Katelyn Sparrow, 6, of Grifton, said she likes the fire trucks and “getting the candy.”
It wasn’t just children that enjoyed the parade, though. Shirley Page and Gloria Edwards, both of Grifton, brought a smiling group of folks from Dixon House Assisted Living.
“They love the dancing,” Edwards said, referring to the facility’s residents.
Christina Garrett of Grifton said she enjoyed the African dancers and drummers.
Angie Harrison, a Grifton native living in Kinston, brought her two children to the festival because it’s a family tradition.
“The parade’s fun,” she said. “They enjoy the rides and food.”
Shad Festival events today run from noon to 6 p.m.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
Breakout box:
Shad Festival – today, noon-6 p.m.
Flea Market, along railroad, noon-6 p.m.
Craft show, First Citizens Bank, noon-6 p.m.
Hot dogs/Drinks 1-4 pm.
Eastern NC barbecue/Fish fry, noon until
Town Common:
Community Church Service, bring a chair, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Souvenirs, Shad Shack, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Children’s crafts/Face painting, noon-4 p.m.
Art show, Health Assist building, noon-4 p.m.
Balloon sculptures, 1-5 p.m.
Salsa music/Dancing, 1-3 p.m., Dance lessons 1 p.m.
Ballet Folklorico Espiritu Latino, Mexican dancing, 3-4 p.m.
Grifton Civic Center:
“The Tuscarora War: The Forgotten Tragedy,” film, 2 p.m., Historical Museum, noon-4:30 p.m.
Grifton Indian Village, tours 1 p.m. until
Climbing Wall, museum
Overlook Park, boat landing:
Kayak/Canoe, bring your own, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pony rides/Petting zoo
ECU fishery