Dallas-area events mark Independence Day with little sun but lots of stars and stripes. The American flags lined the streets dutifully, emblems of pride and nationalism. These flags’ manifold presence distinguished another Independence Day celebration in Dallas.
The Dallas crowd wore American flags on apparel of all forms. There were many children in the scene, too, carrying small American flags on sticks, shouting/singing ‘God bless America’.
A certain Heather Pina, a regular attendee for the past 35 years was among the spectators. She flinched at the darkening sky and tried to remember the last time she’d seen the parade last more than an hour. “We like to come down here and get in the mood,” Pina said. She glanced at the people covering both sides of the street. Then she looked at the sky again.
The sun flashed briefly when the parade participants and the onlookers were beginning to go home. A photographer chanced the rain and took shots of a girl and some others at the Dallas Arboretum, which canceled most activities because of the uncertain weather. The arboretum was soon deserted after the picture taking.
