The heat was incredible— 15 degrees above the average temperature for July— and sweat was pouring by the bucket load, but that didn’t keep the spectators away from the annual 4th of July Parade in Downtown Turlock on Thursday.

Proud Americans, young and old, lined Main Street and braved triple digits in order to participate in a Turlock tradition. As hot rods, fire trucks, tractors, and even military vehicles cruised through downtown; a sea of flags waved back and forth to the sound of cheers, clapping, and yells of "USA!"

While the heat wasn’t enough to stop the parade, it did affect its length and duration. It also made the shaved ice stand the most popular destination. By 1 p.m. the streets were empty of spectators and vendors—two hours earlier than the set end time of 3 p.m.—but make no mistake, the day was a success for those who attended and participated.

“I think it was great,” said Reno Valley resident Mark Tepner, who was in town to visit family. “It’s a patriotic coming together of the community and that’s what Fourth of July is all about. Independence Day dude!”

“I love the sense of community; it makes you feel like it’s still a small town,” Turlock resident Sheila Mayo said. “It was a little smaller, I hoped it would be bigger, but I’m sure the heat had something to do with it.”