Photo at left by Sharyn Cornelius: The Oak Run Heritage Day Parade on July 3 was led by its organizer, Jack Keeton, President of the Oak Run History Group, and his un-named furry friend.

By Sharyn Cornelius 

After a hiatus of several years, Oak Run’s traditional July 4th celebration returned in style this year, thanks to the efforts of its newest community organization, the Oak Run History Group. Working with Oak Run Volunteer Fire Company and the Oak Run Community Library, event organizer Jack Keeton, who is president of the History Group, succeeded in bringing out about 100 residents of this quiet foothill community on July 3, 2010, to ride, walk or drive in the parade and then stick around for lunch at the Fire Hall for Oak Run Heritage Day. 

The parade, which began at Oak Run School and traveled about a half mile downhill to the Fire Hall, attracted at least 25 entries, one of the longest parades this reporter has had the pleasure of covering. The procession was so long that when the first vehicle reached the Fire Hall, the last entry had not yet left the school grounds. Residents lined Oak Run to Fern Road to cheer the entrants on and several had decorated their homes in red, white and blue. 

After the parade, most of the participants, joined by other community members, stayed to partake of the hot dog, nacho, and chili lunch accompanied by root beer floats, watermelon, and home made apple pie served by the Oak Run History Group. They also read the historical displays furnished by the Oak Run Community Library, the Oak Run Bible Church, and the History Group and bought raffle tickets from volunteer firefighters. 

Everyone involved had a great time. Let’s do this again next year!

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