WHITE HAVEN — The streets were lined with families Sunday afternoon as the sound of drums echoed in the distance, signaling the start of the borough’s annual Memorial Day weekend parade.
White Haven resident Taylor Pippa made sure to set up her folding chair on the corner of Northumberland Street early in the day in order to get a good seat.
“It’s kind of like a town thing. Everyone comes [to the parade]. That’s why it’s so crowded today,” she said.
Pippa was excited to see her 5-year-old nephew Tyler Kearns, who was chosen as the 2024 Poppy King, riding on a float in the parade along with 3-year-old Melina Walsh as the Poppy Queen.
This year’s parade was a special one indeed, as it coincided with the continuation of White Haven’s 200-year anniversary celebration, which began in January with a firework’s display in Linesville Park, commemorating the arrival in April 1824 of White Haven’s first settler, John Lines.
“We started planning this event 18 to 24 months ago. It’s been awhile,” said borough council member John Zugarek. “We decided to super size the Memorial Day parade. A lot of new floats and new people involved.”
The parade stepped off in East Side Borough and was led by members of the White Haven VFW Post 6615 and the White Haven Marine Corps League Detachment 1039, followed by the Crestwood High School marching band.
Underneath the bright sun, the procession made its way across the Route 940 bridge and into White Haven, ending at Lehigh Park where food, activities and live music where waiting for parade goers to enjoy.
There was also an inflatable bounce house for kids, face painting, face throwing and even a foam party provided by That Foam Party Guy.
Sally and James Buckes, who just moved from Long Island to White Haven in January, got a front row seat to the parade, as it passed right in front of their house.
“We fell in love with the house. It was built in 1900,” Sally said. “That’s really what brought us here.”
Afterwards, they enjoyed the birthday celebration in the park and praised their new home as a “very family friendly” place.
“It’s just beautiful. The people are so nice,” Sally said.
State Sen. Dave Argall along with state Rep. Mike Cabell kicked things off in the park by presenting White Haven with citations in honor of the borough’s 200 year anniversary.
“We’re convinced White Haven’s best days aren’t behind it, they’re ahead of it,” Argall said. “Congratulations on the first 200, here’s to the next 200.”
The event was also educational. The White Haven Historical Society had a table set up with albums of old photographs and vintage military uniforms, offering residents a glimpse into the borough’s rich history.
Additionally, the Searfoss Brothers Models, Planes and Trains Show had a bunch of model airplanes on display, all from different war eras.
Taylor Searfoss, 81, a Vietnam veteran whose father served in World War II, said he and his brother began building models when they were kids and picked up the hobby again a few years ago.
“All of these planes have so much history,” said Searfoss. ““Hopefully everyone enjoys it and they learn a little bit.”
Searfoss also hopes that he and his brother can help remind people of what soldiers went through during war.
“We want to teach people about the conditions they had to live under and the hardships they went through. They didn’t want to and yet they did it because it was their duty.”
