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HAMILTON — Passing through downtown Hamilton on Independence Day, Vikki Noble said she was struck by the "flags, funnel cakes and fun booths."

So much so, the Maineville woman on her way back from visiting her daughter in Indiana pulled over.

"I knew it was a holiday ...this is the way it used to be," Noble said, walking around the historic Butler County Courthouse on Friday, July 4, taking it all in. "Hamilton did extremely well in preserving the memories of patriotism."

The theme for the parade and the day's celebration was "Let Freedom Ring." During a presentation to honor World War II veterans, Mayor Don Ryan asked for a moment of silence in honor of all those who had served America as church bells rang throughout the city.

Despite a slight drizzle, Hamilton residents Shane and Jody Anderson brought their three children out for the festivities.

"They are young right now," Jody Anderson said. "And we want to teach our children that we have a lot of opportunities and freedoms in America that a lot of people don't have.

"We are blessed to live here."

In keeping with the theme, floats in the 115-unit Old Fashioned Patriotic Parade were decked out in their Americana best. Thirty WWII veterans were greeted with waves and applause by the thousands of spectators lined along the parade route in a show of appreciation for serving their country.

"This is better than last year," said 9-year-old Katelyn Owens, adding that her favorite part of the parade was the clowns, bands and dogs.

Sharon Owens, 11, said her favorite part was the veterans riding in the Corvettes, she said. The parade and the day's events are reminders of how lucky Americans are and "that everybody is free," she said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2158 or lebbing@coxohio.com.