Because of their home's perfect location on Adamsville Road, Sam and Dru Williams wouldn't have missed the annual Adamsville Homecoming parade for anything.

Read the full story originally published Zanesville Times Recorder.

July 17, 2008

Parade kicks off Adamsville homecoming

By HOLLY RICHARDS
Staff Writer

ADAMSVILLE - Because of their home's perfect location on Adamsville Road, Sam and Dru Williams wouldn't have missed the annual Adamsville Homecoming parade for anything.

"We've lived in this house for 30 years, and we haven't missed a parade yet," Dru said. "It's different every year, and I look forward to seeing how people dress up."

Sam said it's also a prime location because they get to observe all the pre-parade action at the school directly across the street.

"It's fun because we get to watch everyone get lined up and get organized," he said.

The pair joined many other families that lined the street Wednesday night to watch the lengthy processional pass by.

The parade is an annual tradition for Dan Stotts, who picked a shaded, grassy area to watch the parade with his five-year-old granddaughter, Aubrie Wears.

"I grew up around here, and I've seen a lot of these," he said. "I've got relatives in it. My favorite part is seeing the tractors."

Jenny Engle of Trinway camped out with her family in lawn chairs.

"We've been to this three or four years before," she said. "I enjoy all of it."

She also came to cheer on her step-daughter, Katie Mercer, a senior at Tri-Valley High School, who plays trumpet in the marching band.

"That's the highlight for us," Engle said.

She accompanied her daughter, Savannah Engle, 18, as well as Lacie Smith, 10, and Evelyn Cain, 5.

"I like everything, and the candy," Smith said.

"Candy!" Cain chimed in.

These children were just some of the many youngsters who craned their necks as sirens filled the air to start the parade.

As a Muskingum County Sheriff's car led the way, children hurriedly grabbed as much candy as they could from passing vehicles like the Adamsville Community Fire Department.

The Tri-Valley High School marching band got the crowd pumped up, followed by parade marshals Gerald and Dorothy Foster, and 2008 Homecoming Queen Tiffany Mitchell.

Several politicians like Troy Balderson, Jerry Lavy and Jimmy Stewart also made the rounds by handing out candy and greeting the public.

There were many horse-drawn carts, as well as tractors, dirt bikes and old cars.

Little league teams excitedly threw candy to the crowd, and children cheered as a float featuring SpongeBob SquarePants characters passed by.

Spectators also applauded Abby Green as she passed by. Green won the title of World Champion at last weekend's National Horseshoe Pitching Association World Championship competition.

Many area businesses were featured, including Zemba Brothers and many of its portable toilet units.

Children covered their ears as numerous area fire departments approached with blaring horns and sirens. Trucks from New Concord, Dresden, Harrison Township, Washington Township and Perry Township drove by, and a few Adamsville squads signaled the parade's finale.