Parade goers in Covington awaited the St. Tammany Parish Fair parade with patience, wondering when the parade will arrive. Young and old waited as traffic continued on North Columbia Street by the fairgrounds until finally, the sirens and lights rounded the bend in the road.

“There it is. Have you ever seen such a big, red fire truck?” asked Chantel Shubert of her 2-year-old son Ethan. He eagerly pointed to the truck. His eyes filled with wonder as he pointed to the massive-looking vehicle turning the corner in front of him.

A bevy of bands, politicians and officials joined Miss St. Tammany Parish Fair Danielle Ditoro in the annual fair parade from the courthouse in downtown Covington to the fairgrounds on North Columbia Street.

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Leading the parade was Grand Marshal James “Red” Thompson, St. Tammany Parish Councilman for District 1. Accompanying him was Parish Councilman Marty Dean. Also holding a place of honor in the parade lineup was Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, greeting crowds as he passed by.

Other dignitaries included Covington Mayor Candace Watkins, who rode on the back of one of the Covington Fire Department trucks, and many politicos vying for votes in Saturday’s election.

Covington High School’s Marching Lions strutted their stuff for the crowd, dancing and performing tricks with their instruments as they marched to the fairgrounds.

The crowd was enthusiastic and danced to the music as bands played on. Young and old alike and everyone in between enjoyed the great weather and the parade atmosphere.

As the parade turned into the fairgrounds, parade goers followed into the grounds for the opening ceremony.

The Rev. Mallary Callahan of Greater Starlight Baptist Church delivered the invocation after the color guard from CHS posted the colors.

Watkins welcomed visitors to Covington, and the dignitaries on the dais were each presented a copy of this year’s fair poster.

“It’s exciting to be able to represent our state to the nation, but it’s always good to come home,” Strain told the crowd. “This fait is a celebration of our heritage and the agricultural industry. The students in the honor guard, the FFA and 4-H, and the bands, this is the future of our country and why what we do is so important.”

The opening ceremony concluded with an invitation to the main stage for upcoming events throughout the fair weekend.