Thousands of people line street to watch Holiday at Home parade in Kettering

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KETTERING — For over a mile, thousands of people lined up their chairs along Far Hills Ave to watch one of Ohio’s largest parades.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00 p.m., the Holiday at Home celebration started on Labor Day in 1959, sponsored by the Kettering YMCA.

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Since then, it has grown into one of Ohio’s largest parades.

Crowds of excited people were there to watch local organizations like the Kettering Marching Band, Cheerleaders, and city council members.

Alan See walked the parade with the Richard Montgomery Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Each of them has direct ancestors who fought for our nation’s independence.

“This is a special year, the 250th anniversary,” See said. “My fourth great-grandfather, John See, was at Valley Forge with Washington, and so now, to be in our 250th year, celebrating our nation’s independence, has just been fantastic.”

The Sons of the American Revolution have walked the parade every year for at least the past decade.

See told News Center 7’s Taylor Robertson that it never gets old.

“Whenever I see the flag, whenever I hear the taps. A chill runs up and down my spine, and I just think of the sacrifice, and I think of our military and the people who are serving our country right now,” See said.

See said that the really special part is the fact that they are toward the front of the parade.

Directly being the American flag used for trhe flag presentation and singing of the national anthem.

“When our float goes by, almost the whole audience will always stand up and salute or put their hands over their heart, because these are the flags that were flown during our nation’s fight for independence,” See said. “I think it’s a great day for families to be together and to celebrate.”

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