Rain on Warren’s July 4 parade doesn’t dampen the spirit

Jul 8

July 8, 2026  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

As the crowd filled Warren’s Main Street for Saturday’s 4th of July parade, the “rain-or-shine” condition became particularly important. A few minutes ahead of the 10 a.m. cannon boom to signal the parade’s start, the first raindrops began to fall.

It didn’t take long before it became a steady rain, and a downpour at times. Nonetheless, the parade proceeded as planned with most in the crowd hanging in there as the storm slowly moved through.

The parade’s theme for the nation’s 250th anniversary was “Resistance is Revolutionary: 1776-2026.” This year’s grand marshal was Lisa Loomis, editor and publisher of The Valley Reporter weekly newspaper, who was joined by present and past staff and contributors to the paper. They carried signs bearing both serious and humorous messages about the paper’s role in the community for the past 55 years: “Local news IS community infrastructure,” “Perfect? Nope. Local? Absolutely,” “Black and white and read all over The Valley,” “Our reporters live here,” “Say Cheese,” and “If you sometimes disagree with us, we’re doing our job.”

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., joined the newspaper contingent at the head of the parade. Several candidates for political office marched along with supporters handing out candy and campaign swag. Other entries included the Mad River Valley Rotary Club, local fire departments, Mad River Glen and Sugarbush ski areas, community groups with youth dancers and athletes, several local farms and churches, and numerous activist groups with biting and current-events-themed political satire. One entry parodying the ongoing woes at the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., involved numerous people carrying and managing tarps that filled with rainwater as the parade moved along its route.

By the time the parade wrapped up at the Warren store, rain had tapered off and musicians were playing from the porch. Afternoon festivities included food and games; fireworks at Lincoln Peak capped off the celebration at dusk.