Glenn church members celebrated Independence Day with snappy marching and cymbals clashing in the annual Druid Hills parade.

Suzanne Aloisio kept the beat for the 200+ marchers with her cymbals joining a pair of snare drums, a violin and a solo trumpet player. Neighbor Mark Rosenberg led the parade with his trumpet for perhaps his 41st year, saying he'd love to have more trumpets join him next year. Plus maybe a few trombones? Glenn's Scout Troop 18 marched right behind the DeKalb County Fire Truck Number One.

Jane St. Clair and Carol Bush had a really all-American collection of patriotic tattoos for the children, but Jane said the rain made the stickers a no-go.

"They don't stick at all after being in a downpour. Copies of the Flag Code and Pledge of Allegiance bookmarks, a regular feature, drowned as well. We did have some candy and stickers that were well received by the children."

John Roeser set up tables for lemonade and cookie post-parade treats. Carol Sleeth handed out whirligigs catching the wind, as marchers draped red, white and blue beads onto dozens of the youngest paraders.

Veteran parade photographer Kelly Jordan caught most of the Glenn members doing what they do best: Serving others, smiling in the rain, and enjoying the broad community around the church.

Maybe the best idea that didn't work this year? The attractive paper hand fans featuring the Glenn logo. Ellen Webb McFee brought a box of them, arriving along with a torrential downpour. Nobody seemed to need a fan in the rain, so they went back into storage for another event on a really hot day.

Glenn members Caroline and Phil Moise launch and end the parade every year at their Oakdale front lawn at the Byway. This year's rain did nothing to cool anyone's patriotic fever for celebrating America's birthday.

– Written by Glenn member, Sally Sears

– Photos by Kelly Jordan