Yuma Independence Day Parade
Patriotism was on full display Wednesday morning for one of Yuma’s longest running parades in honor of Independence Day.
The parade is in it’s 57th year. It kicked off at Christ Lutheran Church on Engler Ave.
A Yuma mother started the parade in the 1960’s when she moved to the Desert Southwest and saw there weren’t any Independence Day parades.
The Yuma Fire Department joined neighborhood kids and families to help celebrate the birth of America. Even though the founder of the parade passed away last October, her kids continue to bring the red, white and blue to Yuma. Betsy Matheus, the daughter of the parade’s founder, said, “Our mother was just so proud and blessed to be part of America, and when we moved here in ’61 there wasn’t a parade and she wanted us to know about it so she started it.” The founder’s son, Jonathan Matheus, said, “As mother said we don’t celebrate the Fourth of July we celebrate Independence Day.”
The Matheus said that they were taught the pledge of allegiance, patriotic songs, and the history of the founding of this country through this parade. They hope to continue the tradition for years to come in honor of their mother.
