Cheswick holds make-up Fourth of July parade

Cheswick had to reschedule its Fourth of July parade due to rain last week but despite clouds hovering over the borough Sunday, the storms held off and residents were able to celebrate the nation’s birthday with a small bicycle parade.

Early Sunday evening, a group of more than 50 residents, comprising mostly young families, held a small parade near MacLean Park, rolling around a one-block loop a couple of times as homeowners waved.

Two 12-year old boys, Andrew Denome dressed as Uncle Sam and Liam Whitmore donning a Statue of Liberty costume, led the parade.

Shawna Almes, a Cheswick rec board member, said the parade was originally scheduled for July 2, but it rained all day that day, postponing the event.

Another rec board member, Carol Hanna, said it made sense to reschedule the event to a week later, because everything was ready to go.

“We had all the plans and food, why not hold the event?” she said.

Allegheny Valley fire engines and Cheswick police vehicles escorted the parade around the one-block loop down MacLean Avenue, Maple Street, South Highland Avenue and Oak Street.

Sandy Kostewicz of Springdale was driving by when she saw the parade and decided to stop and watch the families.

“It is really cute, this is a really great idea to reschedule the parade because they almost lost their chance to hold one,” she said.

After the parade, families ate hot dogs and popsicles, and children played with balloon animals.