Community tradition – Crowds pack Cove sidewalks for annual ag parade
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MARTINSBURG -- Paradegoers crowded borough sidewalks Tuesday night to watch the 43rd annual Morrisons Cove agricultural parade.
Known as the "World's Largest Small Town Parade," the procession of handmade floats, ancient tractors and even horses began at 6 p.m. The parade was expected to last about three hours.
The event attracts people from Blair County and beyond, bringing in an estimated crowd of well over 10,000 people, said Ed Kreider, a member of the parade committee.
Kreider said the parade includes a variety of local businesses, marching bands, religious groups and first responders, adding that it is very
"community oriented."
Adam Longenecker, owner of farm equipment dealer Longenecker's Incorporated, said that his business has been involved in the Morrisons Cove parade for "longer than I can count."
It was, however, his young son's first time riding along in the parade, who was excited to sit with his family in a shiny red tractor.
Sowing Hope Farm, a nonprofit corporation for elderly adults with disabilities, also drove a truck in the parade with volunteer Kianah Lingefelter in the bed throwing candy to nearby children.
Lingefelter was excited to participate in the event to "spread awareness and how the community needs these (services)" to help disabled, elderly adults.
Community officials were also honored during Tuesday's parade, including retired Martinsburg police Chief Kerry Hoover.
After being on duty during the agriculture parade for 37 years, Hoover said "it's very special to be in it rather than working in it."
Hoover mentioned that he began participating in the Morrisons Cove carnival by selling ride tickets when he was a young boy. Now, he is able to enjoy the festivities while riding in his car alongside his wife, Beth.
"I enjoy this parade," Hoover said. "I'm a big
supporter."
Barry Davis, president of the Martinsburg Booster Association, was this year's parade marshal because the organization is celebrating 100 years of existence.
Davis said that his goal was to make everyone have a "smile on your face," quoting American comedian Red Skelton.
Other big parade supporters gathered in camping chairs or on street curbs whilst collecting Ritchey's Dairy chocolate milk half-pint cartons, flavored ice pops and various candies.
Rylee Dull, 3, was most excited about collecting candy, especially Hubba Bubba gum.
Tractors were 6-year-old Isaiah Dull's favorite part of the parade, who was attending the parade for the second time.
Norman and Josephine Long have been longtime watchers of the parade, traveling from Sidman to get a glimpse of the Martinsburg tradition.
"It used to be an almost all farming equipment parade, but ... it's changing," Norman Long said. "It's still a beautiful parade."
"Everyone is always friendly when we come down," Josephine Long said.
Colorado native Lexie Riley saw the event advertised on Facebook and thought the parade would be "something to do" with her two sons.
Riley said that there is a "slowness" to life in Blair County ever since she moved here.
"Being around the farms is so much nicer," Riley said. "And for me, I would rather celebrate that than all of the city life."
The Morrisons Cove parade brings in participants from local communities across the area to celebrate their agricultural roots with floats, candy and, of course, cartons of milk.
Beth Hoover said that "small town pride" is what the parade means to her and her husband, adding that "we get to showcase our little towns."
Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.