Murray • With her glittering red cowgirl hat catching the morning sun, 72-year-old Annette Lelenoa awaited Murray’s annual Fourth of July parade dressed head to toe in red, white and blue.

She and her family had arrived early, joining others who lined State Street with lawn chairs, coolers and American flags while they watched for the first floats to roll through.

Thousands gathered to mark Independence Day with one of the state’s longest-running holiday traditions — and both spectators and those walking or waving said this year’s parade carried extra meaning as communities across Utah celebrated the nation’s 250th birthday.

Lelenoa watched from her camping chair as her three grandchildren — ages 4, 6 and 7 — threw their hands into the air, trying to catch Tootsie Rolls, saltwater taffy and other sweets tossed from floats and trucks.

“Oh no, it’s going to get me,” Lelenoa laughed, when a few pieces came her way.

The crowd decked out in red, white and blue route filled the route from Fashion Place Mall at 6100 South to Murray Park, as upbeat songs like the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” played from speakers on passing floats, cars, motorcycles, trucks and tractors.

A Murray Senior Center float drew cheers with a banner celebrating the “Silent Generation,” “Baby Boomers” and “Gen X” and riders carrying a cluster of handmade signs, including one that read “250 years and still loud.”

Among the elaborate floats were displays from communities across Salt Lake County, many decorated to celebrate Utah’s pioneer heritage. Young women dressed in formal gowns rode floats as community royalty, selected by towns and cities as queens and princesses to represent them during holiday celebrations.

For 3-year-old Florence Michaelis, they were the stars of the show.

Her parents, Austin and Nan Michaelis of Murray, said Florence’s favorite part was “seeing all the princesses from the different cities.”

As each float passed, she eagerly scooped up candy and stickers, filling the basket her parents carried with her growing collection of treasures.

Marching bands, vintage cars, elected officials, community organizations and local schools also joined Saturday’s procession. Among them was the Murray City School District, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year.

Riding through the parade, Superintendent Jennifer Covington said the event is a chance for “the community to get together and celebrate.”

School board member Kelly Taeoalii said one of her favorite moments each year is hearing children and parents call out to thank teachers and other educators as they pass.

While plans for the Fourth might look a little different this year, as many cities and towns have followed Gov. Spencer Cox’s call to ban personal fireworks this weekend due to wildfire risk. More than two dozen Utah communities still plan to have big fireworks displays — as well as events in Salt Lake and Summit counties that are featuring drone shows.

In Murray, Austin Michaelis said he was also keeping an eye on the scheduled military flyovers, which were set to pass over cities across Utah throughout the morning.

For Jennifer Alvarado, this year’s celebration carried a double meaning — marking both the nation’s 250th birthday and her own 45th.

Standing along the parade route, she said the milestone felt especially personal after a long time away. Alvarado lived out of state for about 20 years before returning to Utah five years ago, and said being back for the holiday made the moment feel even more meaningful.

“You can’t find what we have here somewhere else,” the Midvale resident said. After moving away and coming back, she added, she knows Utah is where she calls home.