With an early outpouring of all things red, white and blue, Darlington area residents and visitors filled the sidewalks of Main Street late Saturday afternoon  to celebrate the annual Independence Day parade.

Antique cars, tractors and even miniature ponies came down the street as children scooped up candy thrown by firefighters and emergency personnel.

One man walked around with a giant bundle of balloons for sale, while another wheeled around a cart with patriotic hats, horns and, interestingly, both U.S. and Confederate flags.

A few local elected officials were in the parade, including Harford County Council President Billy Boniface, Councilman Chad Shrodes and state Sen. Barry Glassman.

James Reilly, the county's Clerk of the Circuit Court, also drove a vehicle, while Del. Susan McComas waved a sign supporting a petition to repeal a bill that would give in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.

Lisa Cornette, who was watching the celebration along with her husband, Mike, their three children and some friends, said she has been coming to the parade since moving to Darlington about 15 years ago.

"It's fun," she said. "We have a great time every time we come. It's actually better than the Bel Air and Havre de Grace parade. It's close-knit. It's awesome."

Her husband agreed, adding, "It's a little, family parade."

They were together with Sandy Finley, of Aberdeen, who was at the parade for the first time.

"I thought it was cute," Finley said. "You don't have to worry as much because it's not as crowded, so I thought it was safer."

One of the younger people in the parade was 4-year-old Edison Curtis, who was in a wagon disguised as a train called the Darlington Express.

Her mother, Barbara Curtis, of Darlington, said this is their third year in the parade.

"We always make her wagon into something," she said. "It's just fun and she really likes being in the parade."

Edison said her favorite part of the parade was getting candy, but her mother said she looks forward to taking part in it for months.

"She talks about it for almost a year," she said.

Valerie Miller, of Aberdeen, said she came to the parade because it's close to home and she knows a number of people in it, explaining her daughter's friend was doing baton twirling.

"It's nice to have something local," she said. "Everybody is nice, everybody gets along with everybody."

Parade organizers, including announcer Carla Yeago and parade president Kira Dare, said everything went off again without a hitch.

"I thought this parade was wonderful. It was one of the best we have had," Yeago said. "We love the participation of all of the volunteer fire companies and the antique cars, and the miniature ponies."

Dare agreed: "I thought it was fabulous."