ST PAUL, Minn. — Hundreds of spectators gathered on Como Avenue in Saint Paul Thursday for an Independence Day tradition that dates to the 1940s.
The Saint Anthony Park Fourth of July parade went on as scheduled, despite intermittent rainfall, complete with politicians, floats, bands, and children scrambling for candy.
"It's got that small town old-timey feel," Ellen Lindefelser, a longtime resident of the neighborhood, told KARE.
Linda Maschwitz, who’s been going to the parade since 1966, said the event is like a reunion for those with ties to the historic neighborhood.
"This tradition I think is Americana at its best," Maschwitz explained.
But behind the celebration there’s a clearcut feeling of uneasiness, trepidation about the coming months. When asked how they feel about the state of the union, they expressed a worried vibe.
"Oh, that’s a question!" Holly Bell replied, "Hmmn. Umm. Nuh. Nah!"
Her daughter, Tahlia Ewing said the problems go way beyond November.
"We're very divided and I think that's something I'd like to see addressed, regardless of who's president next year. It's a big issue that needs to get fixed," Ewing, a local native visiting from Wisconsin, remarked.
David Maschwitz said it’s clear to him much is at stake in November.
"I am concerned about the country. I really am concerned about our democratic institutions, frankly. I think they’re at risk right now."
His wife, Linda, said she’s hoping for the best.
"We're bearing witness to some history that is remarkable," she said. "But I have to be optimistic that there is a bright future for our country."
Aaron Fraze of Saint Paul was also pensive.
"This is a difficult time. I hope for the best, but it is a difficult time."
Ellen Lindenfelser said she watched the first debate of the presidential race last week, which created anxiety in her household.
"That was a tough debate to watch. Scared. Scared. Nervous. I watched it with my children."
She turned to her son Torsten and daughter Liesel and asked what they thought about it. They both shook their heads and said they didn’t like what they saw.
But the holiday is also day for Americans to take stock in the exceptional country they call home.
"We've actually been taking time this week to name some of the things we love about our country," Connor O’Neill said as he sat with his family watching the parade.
"One thing we talked about was all the sacrifices were made by those in the military, so we can be free and have a country where we can do whatever we want for our jobs."
We also met two international students from Luther Seminary, which is near the parade route, who said they’ve been pleasantly surprised to by what they’ve experienced in the United States.
"I think being in America I'm very happy with this country. I meet with many kind people, generous people," Rama Yanti, a pastor from Indonesia, told KARE.
"In my country we mainly received bad news about this country, about how dangerous people are here. Since coming here, I know most people are good."
Her fellow student Alyssa Saleem of Pakistan said she feel lucky to be studying here and hopes to become a pastor in the United States someday.
"When I came here a lot of people helped me, and they loved me, and they still love me a lot," Saleem explained.
"And they give me space for my education, because in my country we don’t have a good education."
The interviews along the route on one parade are hardly a scientifically conducted poll. But it's worth noting KARE posed the same questions to spectators at the same parade in 2023, and found a more positive vibe in the air.