By Sara Gregory

sgregory@salisburypost.com

FAITH — From her porch, Kim Collins has a front row seat to the parade each year.

She lives with her husband and children in a house on North Main Street. After being on the parade route for about three years, the parade is now part of the family's July 4th tradition.

"You just kind of get used to it," Collins says. "It's the fourth."

Faith's Fourth parade was the longest ever this year. Starting at Rainy Road and winding down Main to Garner Street, it took just more than two hours.

The parade doesn't change much from year to year, but no one is the same, she says.

This year, Ronald McDonald served as grand marshal. In the past the parade has drawn dignitaries such as President George Bush, who visited in 1992.

"The biggest year was when President Bush came," Collins says. "That was just the biggest thing."

Friday, Sen. Elizabeth Dole was in town, as well as State Sen. Andrew Brock and State Reps. Lorene Coates and Fred Steen.

They joined high school marching bands from East Rowan and Carson High Schools, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and others on the parade route.

The Collinses' front-seat view is also fun when the parade is over, cousin Carla Linker says.

"I personally think the best thing is to watch the traffic after," she says. "I love watching the people."

Collins, who woke up at 6 a.m. to block off the yard for family and friends, has a favorite part of the parade, too. "The end," she says.

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