Franklin/Simpson County hosts Independence Day Parade to honor veterans

FRANKLIN, Ky. – In Simpson County, a parade took place on the Fourth of July to celebrate America’s independence.

“This is our third annual Independence Day parade. We started it during our bicentennial in 2019 and carried it on through. We had to skip for COVID, but we’re back. The Independence Day parade is to honor all of the veterans in Simpson County, and the main reason that we wanted to do this was to give them the glory and the honor and to thank them for their service and their time,” Amy Ellis of Simpson County Tourism says.

One local veteran is honored to be thanked by the community for his service.

“I think it’s very important to honor our veterans. I’m very flattered. I don’t think any of us that join the military and did it of our own free will, did it for the praise and adoration. But it is certainly nice to see that being doted on some of the people… some of the older veterans,” Brian Carey, a Gulf War Navy veteran who was honored during the parade today says.

If you were in Franklin Tuesday, you may have even noticed a few special guests.

“The highlight for me was seeing Mickey and Minnie. They were right in front of me and all of the little kids wanted to get their pictures taken with Mickey and Minnie. For the first time ever. I saw something being more important than candy, and that was Mickey and Minnie, for sure,” Carey says.

However, this year’s parade is about more than just honoring veterans or meeting your favorite characters.

“I think it just shows a spirit of community here in Simpson County. We and our individual groups within the community, our community service groups, our Rotary Club was huge. They came out and helped us today. We all work well together, and I think it’s just the time to come out and celebrate our country and celebrate time together,” Ellis says.