Saturday’s parade was preceded by a large craft fair, chock full of vendors, fair food and smiles. Perhaps no group was more excited about the festival’s return than the vendors themselves.

“It’s so nice to be among people again,” said Lynn Kibbe, owner of Foggy Mountain Studio and scratchboard artist.

Joy O’Neil, of O’Neil’s Custom Crafts, agreed.

“We like getting back together with our friends,” O’Neil said.

“I’m a people person.”

April Hart, of Bespoke Apothecary, was “absolutely” excited to be back at the Laurel Festival.

“We’re happy that things seem a bit normal again,” Hart said.

As luck would have it, however, the parade was far from “normal.”

The first of several hitches came about 10 minutes before the parade was supposed to begin.

A large American flag was raised at the intersection of Main Street and Central Avenue. There were a few troubles with the suspension used to hold the flag, and it almost fell at one point.

Several people jumped up to make sure it didn’t hit the ground, and it eventually got secured. The large parade crowd clapped as the banner was raised.

The parade itself was announced by Jason Bump and Kevin Thomas of local radio station KC101-FM.

“Making a community happen” takes everyone, Thomas said before the parade started.

The procession kicked off with Wellsboro Chief of Police James Bodine and Wellsboro Mayor John Wheeler.

MARTY WEAVER Ð The first of several floats carrying the 2021 Laurel Queen candidates.

Following was the 42nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, aka the “Bucktails,” a group of soldiers from Pennsylvania who fought in the Union Army. The reenactors presented their arms to the audience as they marched past.

Numerous musical acts also graced Main Street on Saturday.

The official drumline of Buffalo Bills, DownBeat Percussion, drummed along to pop music, and the Edward P. Maloney Memorial Pipe Band played traditional bagpipe music. The Pipe Band has marched in New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Prime Time Brass played “Sweet Caroline,” and the Blossburg Fire Dept. Engine 4-2 blew its horn in time with the music.

There was a bit of hesitation among the crowd to participate in the festivities, but the announcers assured folks that they “can have fun.”

MARTY WEAVER Ð Crowds line Main Street in Wellsboro, eagerly awaiting the return of the annual Laurel Parade.

The fun died down some with the next technical problem, though.

The Korean War truck had some issues: the engine stopped working, but quite a few in the audience jumped up to push the truck along. The parade came to a bit of a standstill when, further down the route, the truck started blowing steam. Nobody was hurt from the overheated truck, and even more audience members moved quickly to keep the parade going.

Wind ensemble Vortex Indoor Winds entertained the crowd while the truck was moved off the parade route. After quick performances of the “Jeopardy” song and “Happy Birthday,” the crowd joined in for “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

Other notable parade participants were floats carrying the Laurel Queen candidates, Smokey Bear with the Cedar Mountain Wildfire Crew and the Penn York Highlanders from Athens.

In the evening after the parade, Miss Central Mountain, Jocelyn Renninger, claimed the crown of Laurel Queen. Miss Williamsport, Alayna Dake, was first runner-up, with Miss Saegertown, Amber Costello, taking second runner-up.

MARTY WEAVER Ð The Southern Tioga Marching Band was one of many musical acts in Saturday's Laurel Parade.

As rain started to fall just as the parade ended, the jovial atmosphere followed the crowd for the rest of the day.

MARTY WEAVER Ð Audience members help to push the Korean War truck after its engine stopped working during the Laurel Parade in Wellsboro on Saturday.