After getting rained out last month, the 27th annual Twin Cities Black History Month Parade took to downtown Texarkana streets Saturday with gusto.
With more than 50 churches, riding clubs, organizations and public school marching bands participating, only a mild threat of rain remained in the weather forecast, and not a drop fell throughout the event.
"Today, we only had a 20 percent chance of rain," parade Chairman Anderson Neal said. "Back on Feb. 24, we had a 90 percent chance of rain, and we got rained out."
Ermer Pondexter, who served as grand marshal, said she is proud to represent all races of people. Texarkana College President James Henry Russell was also in attendance.
"You always want an event like this, not only to celebrate history, but to build on a better future," Russell said.
Many residents showed up to celebrate, as well.
"We've come out this year to look at the floats and the marching bands. They're always good," said Shirley Laryea, Texarkana, Ark., resident. "We look forward to this each year."
Parade participants included the Arkansas State Corvette Association of Little Rock, Booker T. Washington Alumni Association's Queen float, Dansby's Auto Clinic, Debonaire Pandora Civic and Social Club, Dyamond Kutters Riding Club, the Greater Texarkana Branch of NAACP, KTOY-Texarkana Radio Center, Mustang Gang Car Club, Phi Delta Kappa Inc. sorority, Oak Street Baptist Church, St. John's Baptist Church, Stompers Drum Line, Texarkana Car and Truck Club, Texarkana Nursing Academy and Texarkana Pan Hellenic Council Walking Group.
Also participating were Texarkana Starlettes Marching Unit, the Texarkana Twin City Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., Texas High School Marching Band, Ark-La-Tex Mudslingers' Four-Wheel Club, Baptist Ministers' Fellowship, East Texas Soul Riders of New Boston motorcycle club, Lonoke Baptist Church's youth department, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Mount Zion First Missionary Baptist Church, Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, Show Stoppers Motorcycle Club, Texarkana College Black Students' Association, Texarkana Ruff Ryders Motorcycle Club and Twin City Church of Christ.