Ralston had no problem drumming up patriotism Saturday afternoon. The city’s annual Independence Day parade drew a large crowd which lined Main Street, west of 72nd.

“It’s the fourth of July,” says Troy Zumbrunnen in town visiting family from Roswell, Georgia. “We celebrate our nation's independence today."

That doesn't mean much to his three year-old daughter, Breck, yet. Her favorite part, she says with a grin, catching “pieces of candy."

That was something the littlest ones seemed to have in common. One nearby group of little girls gleefully shouted, “Candy, candy!" They added a polite, “Thank you,” when members of a float obliged.

Young and old alike managed to get into the spirit. Even Darth Vador, part of a Star Wars presentation, was giving high fives.

While the characters may change each year, the parade has drawn a steady following. “It’s kind of a tradition for us,” says Jessie Metz of Ralston. “We've lived here about four years and just if we're in town, we try to come down here. It's fun to see everybody."

Metz says there’s one thing that’s not so fun this time around. “It kind of stinks that it's kind of rainy this year," she says.

Carrie Case of Omaha adds, “Ucky, too humid, too rainy, too cloudy."

Her ten year-old, Jenna could do without something else. "It was cool,” she says, but “the clowns kind of scared me though. I'm not a big fan of clowns. I don't like them very much.” For Jenna, the best part of the day lies ahead with a family barbeque.

Eight year-old Madison Stock is part of the Acapriccio Dance Company which took part in the parade. She says her favorite part of the day will be, “going to my aunt's and blowing off fireworks."

That’s the plan for most heartlanders tonight. But Zumbrunnen adds, what matters most is showing pride in our country. "Parades like this with all the flags and the colors are a good reminder to us."

Ralston’s main attraction, its Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular, begins at dusk. Organizers estimate they’ll begin about 9:30 p.m. A viewing area is designated at the Lakeview Golf Course, 72nd & Q.