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Niagara Falls
Thursday, 16
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Story and Photos by Alice Gerard
Senior Contributing Writer
Sunshine and warm weather greeted a crowd at the 2025 version of the Independence Day parade, which was preceded by the Dick Bessel Independence Day run, which includes a run for kids ages 4-10, followed by a run for everyone aged 10 and up.
The second run was approximately 2.3 miles in length. The top three male finishers of the race were Ryan Buzby of Grand island at 10.44 minutes, Jon French of Syracuse at 11.16 minutes, and Luke Rogers of Buffalo at 11.22 minutes. The top three female finishers were Kara Dudley of Brooklyn at 12.26 minutes, Cortney Smith of Grand Island at 13.52 minutes, and Jennica Bellanca of Pittsburgh at 13.55 minutes.
There were more than 70 floats, marchers, dancers, musicians and other participants in the parade. They included bagpipers, a large chicken on a motorcycle, Boy Scouts, baton twirlers, firefighters, martial arts students, and more. In the evening, there was a fireworks display at the Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World.
Runners headed to the finish line.
The 82nd Airborne Division leads the parade.
Corvettes, both old and new, on parade.
1859 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY 14072
Phone: 716-773-7676
Fax: 716-773-7190
