WILLIAMSTOWN — Jim Briggs first came to Williamstown’s Fourth of July Parade in 1957, while he was a student at Williams College. On Saturday, he was back on Main Street, this time with his wife, Mary Lou, to watch this year’s celebration.

For Jim and Mary Lou, attending this year’s parade was extra significant because of the nation's 250th anniversary.

“We’re here to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country and our democracy, which is really important,” Mary Lou said.

Williamstown's Fourth of July parade kicked off at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Hundreds of locals decked out in red, white and blue packed the streets to cheer on friends and family and celebrate the Fourth of July as a community.

Williamstown's Fourth of July parade kicked off at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Hundreds of locals decked out in red, white and blue packed the streets to cheer on friends and family and celebrate the Fourth of July as a community.

Parade marchers started on Southworth Street, took a right onto Main Street, and then finished at the base of Spring Street. The parade lasted around 45 minutes. Once it ended, dozens of people stayed on Spring Street to hear live music performed by local band Brass-O-Mania.

After the parade, dozens of people stayed on Spring Street to hear live music performed by local band Brass-O-Mania.

Many local groups and organizations marched, ranging from members of the Williamstown Fire and Police departments to a delegation from the Williamstown Historical Museum. North Adams SteepleCats players also made their way through the parade, as did a number of horses and other animals from DeMayo’s Bonnie Lea Farm, which was a crowd favorite.

Animals from DeMayo’s Bonnie Lea Farm was a crowd favorite at Williamstown's Fourth of July parade.

One of the biggest parade contingents came from Greylock Together, a volunteer-based local social justice organization.

“We wanted to make a big impact and make a statement about who we are and what we stand for,” said Sabina Chen, who marched in the parade as one of the leaders of Greylock Together. “Every one of us needs to fight for our vote and our system of representational democracy that ideally should be liberty and justice for all, not just a select few.”

Greylock Together, a volunteer-based local social justice organization, had a large showing at Williamstown's Fourth of July parade on Saturday.

Because the parade bisected the Williams College campus, many students were also able to enjoy the festivities. Dahlia Miller, an incoming senior, marched with the Williams College Museum of Art.

“I just love how Williamstown celebrates the Fourth of July,” she said. “It’s so clear how much everyone who’s marching is invested in the thing that they’re marching for and the organization they’re marching with. It’s really inspiring.”

Williams College also had a designated group of marchers, led by President Maud Mandel. Mandel went to the parade with her husband, Steve Simon, who marched in his capacity as chair of the Images Board.

“I love small-town parades,” Mandel said. “We keep running into alumni, students, townspeople, professors, etc. It’s a really festive, wonderful day.”

The parade was also a lot of fun for the large number of younger attendees.

Take Bryce Truskowski, who watched with his parents and older brother, Brodie.

What was his favorite part of the parade? “It was all the candy,” he said.