(Lander, WY) – Lander celebrated America’s 250th Fourth of July in classic fashion Saturday morning as more than a hundred floats and groups made their way down Main Street for the annual Pageant of the Old West Lander Pioneer Days 4th of July Parade, which is now in its 132nd year. Thousands of spectators lined both sides of the street under a cloudless sky, with temperatures climbing into the upper 70s by the time the procession rolled through downtown. The weather proved perfect for one of the parade’s favorite traditions, as float riders, armed with Super Soakers, sprayed grateful crowds along the route.
Two youngsters smile and wave from a float during the 4th of July parade in Lander. h/t Carl Cote Lander’s American Legion Post 33 led the 4th of July parade down Main Street Saturday morning. h/t Cote Cote The National Guard post roll past 3rd and Main during the parade Saturday. h/t Carl Cote A group of young girls watch the parade pass by Saturday. h/t Carl Cote Thor Young Sage makes his way down Main Street promoting the Jackalope Jump and Special Olympics Saturday morning. h/t Carl Cote The Lander Pipe Band make their way down Main Street early on in the 4th of July Parade Saturday morning. h/t Carl Cote The rodeo float dishes out candy and water at the crowd gathered at the parade. h/t Carl Cote Missy White’s walking float makes its under the POW and American flags Saturday. h/t Carl Cote Lander Mayor Missy White smiles as she makes her way down Main Street in the 4th of July parade Saturday. h/t Carl Cote
Floats blasted music, and participants tossed candy to kids scrambling along the curb, while political candidates worked the crowd with pins, buttons, and sweets of their own as election season heats up. Announcing veteran Maggie Appleby was posted up at 3rd and Main in her usual spot, describing each float and providing fun commentary throughout the day.
Two girls sit on the back of an antique Thunderbird. h/t Carl Cote Blue Blackburn waves from the back of a float Saturday in the 4th of July parade. h/t Carl Cote A horse rider sticks out his staff as he belts out a yell during the 4th of July parade. h/t Carl Cote Float riders spray the crowd with water guns during the 4th of July Parade Saturday. h/t Carl Cote Boys get hosed down with super soakers from a float Saturday. h/t Carl Cote The Lander Unicycle Club rolls down Main Street Saturday in Lander. h/t Carl Cote Brandon Fourthman grins from in front of The Middle Fork during the Fourth of July Parade. h/t Carl Cote Jess Oldman smiles from his horse during the 4th of July Parade Saturday. h/t Carl Cote State Senator Cale Case points from his bicycle during the 4th of July parade Saturday. h/t Carl Cote State champion swim coach Erik DeClue looks for his next victim from the Lander Swim Cub float. h/t Carl Cote The NOLS float makes its way down Main Street spreading candy out for the kids. h/t Carl Cote
As always, the biggest splash was saved for the end of the parade. In perhaps the event’s most beloved traditions, local fire trucks pulled up to the intersection of 4th and Main at the end of the route, hooked up to hydrants, and sent arcs of water soaring into the air. Hundreds rushed into the intersection, jumping, yelling, and getting thoroughly soaked in the joyful maelstrom that has become the grand finale of Lander’s 4th of July parade.
Sidney Smith and Caroline Lee smile during the 4th of July Parade in Lander. h/t Carl Cote Float riders refil their waterguns as their float moves down Main Street. h/t Carl Cote A festive American eagle makes its way down Main Street in the 4th of July Parade. h/t Carl Cote The COR Epeditions float gets a wet surprise from parade goers Saturday in Lander. h/t Carl Cote Caroline Lee gets soaked from the J.D. Carper float during the 4th of July Parade. h/t Carl Cote A man points from a military jeep float Saturday in the 4th of July parade. h/t Carl Cote
Parade goers make their way to 4th and Main as the fire trucks begin to spray water at the end of the parade. h/t Carl Cote Children make their way into the water at 4th and Main Saturday. h/t Carl Cote Raine Lesher enjoys the water spray at 4th and Main at the conclusion of the 4th of July parade. h/t Carl Cote Mara Gans celebrates the water from the fire trucks at 4th and Main Saturday during the 4ht of July Parade in Lander. h/t Carl Cote Three boys celebrate the 4th of July in the water from the Fire Trucks gathered at 4th and Main during the 4th of July parade Saturday. h/t Carl Cote A boy poses in the midst of the fire truck water in the Lander 4th of July Parade Saturday. h/t Carl Cote A man in a cowboy hat carries his beer into the maelstrom at 4th and Main Sataurday. h/t Carl Cote A man carries his daughter through the water from the fire trucks at 4th and Main Saturday. h/t Carl Cote Kennedy Dicken, her father Mike, and Mara Gans exit the water from the fire trucks at 4th and Main at the end of the Lander 4th of July Parade. h/t Carl Cote
Did you miss the parade? If so, fret not; you can catch the whole thing on the County 10 YouTube Channel.