More than 40,000 people gathered to celebrate Fourth of July in Ralston, the home to Nebraska’s largest 4th of July parade

OMAHA, Nebraska – For the 62nd annual parade, Ralston, which hosts Nebraska’s largest Fourth of July parade, was busy with thousands of community members on Monday afternoon.

“Our nation is the best in the world! But we need to keep improving,” adds participant Don Johnson.

With a record attendance each year, Ralston’s parade is also one of the oldest in the state.

The governor came and everyone came today, and I’m really glad about that, says Mayor Don Groesser of Ralston. “It’s really great, I mean we probably have 40,000 to 50,000 people here today and after COVID and everything that’s gone on, we’re truly privileged to have so many people,” he adds.

Allen Fulcher, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Army, says, “We try and make it out every year just to see all the support out here, good crowd, and always meet new people.”

Fulcher finds it nice to witness steadfast support at annual events like Ralston’s march.

The procession seems to be getting bigger every year, so that’s always a positive, he continues. “It’s wonderful to see with the changing climate that’s going around, but it’s always nice to be able to come out to the parade,” he says.

Don Johnson, a participant, has been to the parade each year since 1973.

He says, “I’m very glad they keep doing this because we appreciate it, it’s pleasant, we see people we know, and Ralston’s a good community.”

Numerous Ukrainian-Americans marched in the parade this year to demonstrate Ralston’s support for them as they keep up their resistance against Russia.

It serves as a reminder, according to Mayor Groesser, not to take our freedom in America for granted.

“We have a Ukrainian church here in town, so we actually flew Ukrainian flags during the first week of the Ukrainian war to support that. We particularly support the Ukrainian community since there are so many of them here, and the situation in their homeland is so tragic.

The parade was well-attended as usual.

“The Shriners, the bands, and the firetrucks are always entertaining. All is well. You don’t see something like that every day. It’s fascinating!”