By Lauren Young

Staff Writer

Hundreds of red-faced residents flocked to the Village of Manlius’s sweltering Fourth of July Parade last Wednesday, despite it being one of the hottest recorded Independence Days in the state’s history.

At a toasty 80 degrees, the parade began at 10 a.m., starting on Seneca Avenue and concluding on Stickley Drive.

Over 80 participants marched this year, with Town of Manlius Supervisor Ed Theobald serving as this year’s grand marshal.

This year’s Fourth of July events started at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at Saint Ann’s Church in Manlius, a bicycle decorating contest followed at 9:15 a.m. with a Stickley chair race at 9: 30 a.m. Following the 10 a.m. parade was a ceremony at the Village Amphitheatre where the Village of Manlius honored Theobold for his dedication to the town and village.

Village resident and former trustee Nancy Pfeiffer and longtime DPW employee Ricky Sterns also received the Swan Award, and the Town of Manlius Police Department received a Special Recognition Award.

“It’s quite the honor for the village to recognize the town,” said Chief of Police Michael Crowell.

Musical performances of the day included Downbeat Percussion, Letizia and the Z Band, the Jess Novak Band and Tink Bennett & Taylor Made.

Food, cornhole and carnival rides occurred throughout the day before the explosive main event — fireworks at dusk.

For a photo album of the event, see the Eagle Bulletin Facebook page at Facebook.com/eaglebulletin.