Families lined up on the Cross Street bridge between Riverside and Frog Island parks Saturday morning to watch the 81st annual Independence Day parade in Ypsilanti.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.comAs the annual Fourth of July parade came to an end in Ypsilanti Saturday mid-morning, Eric Woll popped his Coke open and leaned back against a tree on Eastern Michigan University’s campus with a satisfied smile on his face.

“This is one of my favorite days of the year,” the 57-year-old Ypsilanti Township resident said. “It’s just a great time. I’ll just sit here now, and I’ll see so many people I know come past. It’s a great chance to say hi and celebrate together.”

Woll had plenty of company Saturday morning as crowds lined Cross Street, stretching from past Eastern Michigan’s campus east into Depot Town.

The heaviest pockets of parade-watchers concentrated near the start of the parade and then down in Depot Town, but those who walked in the parade said there were good crowds the entire route.

Those who came out found themselves hunting for shade to protect themselves from the hot sun. A large group of parade-watchers clustered in the large shadow cast by the water tower.

Heather Catlay and her two sons were among them. Her sons, age 5 and 2, gave up their frolicking on grass just as the first police car rolled by. They joined a group of other kids on the sidewalks, clamoring for candy.

And there was plenty of it. Nearly every politician running for a state or local office marched in the parade, shaking hands, kissing babies and handing out campaign literature along with miniature flags and candy.

Even a local Tea Party float, complete with person dressed as a Revolutionary War soldier, made an appearance.

However, the politician drawing the most interest was Bill Riney, a Democrat running for the 54th District State House seat. His crew was handing out hot dogs that had been grilled on the back of trailer as it rolled down the route.

The politicians weren’t the only ones handing out items. The Ypsilanti School District passed out boomerangs, while the Ypsilanti District Library handed out bookmarks.

“I got so much stuff,” said Lisa Ike, 7, of Scio Township, showing off a pile of candy heaped in a lawn chair next to her. “My favorite is the licorice.”

Woll didn’t have any candy with him, but he had just as much fun as Lisa.

“It’s a four-day weekend for me, so that’s great. I’m going to a friend’s cottage this afternoon for some barbecuing and then some fireworks tonight. I got to see a ton of my friends here. Got to wave my flag and salute my country. I’m telling you, it doesn’t get any better.”

David Jesse covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.