Fourth of July- Sacred?

My former homestate of R.I. hosts the oldest (1785) Fourth of July parade in the U.S. in Bristol.  Ah, pretty, picturesque, old-time New Englandy Bristol.  Tiny little waterfront city with basically one narrow main street full of small local shops, old captains' homes/estates, and gingerbready houses.  Pretty as all get-out.  Alas, Bristol lost its importance centuries ago.  Much of the Rhode Island seatrade involved slaves, sugar, rum.  You know, the old "triangular trade" route.

I attended once after first relocating there years ago.  It was easy getting there, not so easy leaving.  L-O-N-G.  The night before they do a fund-raising concert with their big-name groups.  There are fireworks and a hose contest with all the fire departments in the area participating.  It's world class, so check it out!  If you actually miss it, it's on their statewide cable and "live" that day on the local t.v. stations- I kid you not!  Hey, like I keep telling people, it's a small state.

Then there is the very popular,albeit strange, celebration held every Fourth in the tiny town of Chepatchet- the "Ancients and Horribles" parade.  Ah, oh you crazy "swamp Yankees."

• The Ancient and Horribles Parade was founded in 1927 and named as a parody of the more somber Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, the oldest military organization in the United States. Calvin Coolidge, U.S. President when the parade was founded in 1927, was a member of the original Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. According to the 2008 chair of the parade, Connie Leathers, "...Rhode Islanders being Rhode Islanders made fun of them."The Parade features both traditional Fourth of July floats and marchers, such as veterans and fire trucks, as well as often irreverent, satirical displays commenting on political and cultural issues. (see previous citation)

Thanks to the Projo for the photo and even more info if you are so inclined.