RACINE — The Fourth of July parade in Racine is a Meigs County tradition and this year the parade had a little bit of everything, including what appeared to be a riding lawnmower from outer space.

Definitely one of the most talked about entries was from Albert Proffitt of Yellowbush Road who invented what appeared to be an alien spaceship powered by a riding lawnmower. With the help of eight wheels, the entry rolled through downtown Racine to the sound of “What is that? Who is that?”

In addition to lawnmowers from outer space, there was a beached whale, paper machete Tornado Twisters, Legionaries, Boy Scouts, horses, bikes, four-wheelers, tractors, Dan and Donna Jean, the Southern Tornado Marching Band and fire trucks from practically every station in Meigs County, all of them blowing their sirens all at once.

Let’s also not forget it is, in fact, an election year so there were plenty of pamphlets and hand shaking going on. Also, students, staff and parents from the Southern Local School District were passing out information on the upcoming bond issue and maintenance levy meant to finance the public portion of a new high school.

Spectators watched it all under a hot, July sun that was pushing the thermostat close to 90. Earlier in the morning, the Racine Fire Department also held its Independence Day Chicken Barbecue and sold homemade ice cream.

The next parade in Racine will happen during its Second Annual Party in the Park, Sept. 10-11 at Star Mill Park. Country music singer and former American Idol finalist Bucky Covington will headline the festival on Sept. 11.