SEGUIN -- Lupe Alarcon grew up in Seguin. Even though she now lives in San Antonio, she and her family come back to Seguin almost every year to watch the annual July Fourth parade. This year an estimated 15,000 people joined the Alarcons.
More than 150 entries paraded down S. Austin St., as people waved flags and applauded. The first 25 entries represented the Armed Forces, veterans or veterans organizations. High school bands, youth royalty, car groups and others made up the rest.
Sheryl Toms and her family make the parade a yearly tradition. She too was born in Seguin. Sheryl and her sister say they remember walking each year to the town square to watch the parade, starting when they were 3 or 4 years old.
Some people staked out their positions along S. Austin Street hours before the parade was to start. Others said they simply waited until police officers began setting up the barricades, to block cross traffic and set up awnings to mark their spot or just plopped down chairs.
The parade wrapped up at the Seguin Coliseum, where the town held the mayor's luncheon. Some would stay through the evening to enjoy patriotic music played by the San Antonio Symphonic Band. Others would make their way to various fireworks displays to end their celebration of America's birthday.
