ALDERSON -
People across Greenbrier County wait all year for the day when they put on their red, white and blue to celebrate Alderson's Fourth of July festivities.
Although many of the events have been canceled, and most of the town is still without power, faithful Fourth of July fans came together to celebrate America's birthday at the annual Alderson parade.
"You've been inside your house in the dark for five days now. It's time to get out and have a good time," said Leonard Conner, Alderson native.
People travel from near and far to take part in West Virginia's largest Fourth of July Celebration.
"My grandson came from Texas. My son lives out there and told him how great things were in Alderson during the Fourth of July and he's come all the way from Texas to be apart of the Fourth of July celebration," said Conner.
The annual parade is usually two miles long and packed with spectators, and this year's parade proved to be no different.
"We've had to lengthen the route because it was just meeting before they could even get started. It's twice as long or three times as long as it used to be," said Linda Loudermilk with the Alderson Fourth of July Committee.
Rainelle and Alderson Medical Centers were at the parade to provide free water and first aid to anyone in need.
"Unfortunately we can't do a whole lot without electricity, but if warm water is fine, that's what we can do," said Mary Surbaugh with Rainelle Medical Center.
Alderson residents said they may have lost power, but they did not lose their enthusiasm for the Fourth of July.
"This is the only thing Alderson has, the Fourth of July in Alderson. It's just what we've got and what everyone looks forward to it, and the spirits are high right now," said Conner.
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