Sirens, engines and screams could be heard for miles, but no one was in panic or distress — only jubilee and celebration.

Several fire departments paraded through the streets as candy was tossed into the crowds that lined the community. Several other organizations were present as well, including the Westfield Memorial Hospital, Northern Chautauqua County Rescue, Gowanda Mini Corp. and many more.

Sitting on the street as the parade strolled past was Roxie Maytum; she was impressed with the festivities.

“We’ve been coming for many years and we really enjoy it,” Maytum said. “They do a really good job.”

OBSERVER Photo by Jordan W. Patterson. The Northern Chautauqua County Rescue Express rides through the parade.

Further down the street was Marti Whetstone and Gary Bennett, who were patrolling around one of their Fourth of July Committee tents that they have been a part of since the parade was moved from Westfield to Mayville. The committee had three stations set up around the parade selling balloons, flags, etc. The money that is made from the tents are then given back to the community.

“So, this is strictly for the community,” Bennett said. “It’s not a personal fundraiser or something.”

To the surprise of Bennett, when he first joined the Fourth of July Committee, he was unaware that the individuals and organizations that march in the parade actually get paid. Prior to getting involved with the Fourth of July Committee, Bennett assumed that they were simply volunteers.

So, the money that is made from the sales at each of the tents goes into paying for the parade and the fireworks.

“We don’t want to lose the parade,” Whetstone said on why he got involved with the Fourth of July Committee.

The committee also hosts fundraisers throughout the year that include raffles, a Mother’s Day breakfast and a Father’s Day breakfast.

“(Today, the committee) will be cleaning up and they’ll start planning next year’s,” Bennett added.

Whetstone and Bennett both admitted that other individuals that are full-time on the committee do more work than they get to do, as they put in their work during the Fourth of July parade.

The pair reminisced when they use to be inside the tents with their children running the fundraiser, but now it’s their children and their grandchildren who have taken up the torch.

Whetstone mentioned that Tim Jacobson and Rita Jacobson were the ones who are in charge of the Fourth of July Committee and expressed gratitude for them.

As the parade moved on by the tent that Whetstone and Bennett were supervising, they recalled what the Fourth of July meant to them.

“Look at this,” Whetstone said as he pointed to the parade in awe. “You get to see people you haven’t seen and then the people all over the county and the country come here, but there’s people coming from Ohio (and) Texas.”

They both shared similar praise of the celebration, and for Bennett, Mayville’s parade is like a scene out of the movies.

“Hometown, U.S.A,” Bennett remarked. “Right here; this is it.”