The Alexander City Outlook

Celebrating independence

With crowns and flags and shakers and signs, the 3- and 4-year-old Jacob’s Ladder students began their Fourth of July holiday a little early with a parade through downtown on Thursday morning.

Close to 100 students participated in the Independence Day parade, which began at the

First Methodist Church, continued down Green Street, around Broad Street and ended back at the school.

“We acted like a band and went and wave our flags,” Kaylee Dobbs said.

The preschoolers have spent the last week learning about the Fourth of July, or “north of July,” in Marley McCollum’s words. The students spent the week preparing their crowns and decorations for the parade.

“They have themed weeks and this was God Bless America week,” said Kim McAlister, director of Jacob’s Ladder.

“They’ve been talking about the significance of the Fourth of July and celebrating America’s birthday. They even sang Happy Birthday to America.”

Dressing up and seeing family members during the parade was the highlight of the week. Parents, grandparents, siblings and even schoolmates who are taking the summer off lined Green Street’s sidewalks as the parade passed by.

“ It was fun because we waved at our mamas and daddies,” Connor Fuller said.

Fireworks and playing outside can be fun, but for Colton Wall, seeing his family is the whole point of the holiday.

“You’re supposed to see your mama, daddy, brother and sister,” Colton said.

Family togetherness was the recurring theme for most of the Jacob’s Ladder students. Kaylee also plans to have a weekend full of family fun and outdoor activities.

“I’m going out of town to Six Flags and then, after that, I’m going to shoot fireworks at Mama and Daddy’s house,” Kaylee said.

Sarah White, whose favorite part of the Fourth of July is the fireworks, already has activities planned for every day of her holiday weekend.

“We’re going to play and I’m going swimming with my family,” Sarah said.

”We’re going to chase each other.”