People From Near, Far Enjoy Urbandale's Fourth of July Parade

Police sirens blared and a band started playing patriotic music to kick off Urbandale's Fourth of July parade, long billed as the largest in the metro area.

Hundreds of people sat along 70th Street and Aurora Avenue at 10 a.m. to watch the parade and start their holiday celebration. 

Michelle Jingst lives in Ohio and came back to Urbandale to visit friends. Jingst said coming back to watch the parade is nostalgic.

"We used to (be) in the parade years ago," Jingst said. "We are reminiscing and it's fun to come back."

David Barger of Adel came with friends to watch the parade. 

"Adel doesn't have anything, so we came to Urbandale," Barger said. 

Others had to come only a few steps from their houses to watch the parade.

David Comer, who lives along 70th Street, invited his family and friends to his lawn to watch the parade. 

"I put cones in my yard to block it off," Comer said. "Then, when it gets closer to the parade, I remove the cones and let people sit there, and I have been doing this for three years."

After the parade, the carnival opened in Lions Park. Fireworks begin at 10 Thursday night in Walker Johnston Park.