GARWIN – As Americans across the country celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing and adoption of the Declaration of Independence last weekend, the Garwin Enrichment League (GEL) hosted the town’s annual multi-day Freedom Days celebration. Highlights included the grand parade on Friday night, July 3, which began at 6 p.m. The festival theme this year was “Built by Generations” and sought to honor the entire community.

“There are simply too many amazing hands that have shaped our town into the wonderful place it is today. This year, the parade is dedicated to all of you! Garwin truly has been built by generations,” GEL wrote on social media of the 2026 grand marshal designation.

Some 10 minutes before the parade began Friday night, the heavens opened in brilliant fashion and a torrent rained down on the tiny but mighty town nestled in the valley, soaking both paradegoers waiting along the route and those queuing in the lineup near New Century FS on the northwest side of town. By the time the parade made it downtown, the rain had ceased and the sun was brightly shining – paving the way for another 250 years as the greatest nation on God’s earth.