Candy a hit at 55th annual Labor Day parade

The streets of downtown Rockford were lined with smiling faces of all ages today as the city's 55th annual Labor Day parade wound its way from Seventh and State streets to Wyman Street and eventually to the Discovery Center downtown.

There were high school bands blaring, cheerleaders jumping and a plethora of politicians and local leaders, some waving to the crowd from their vehicles, others running from side to side shaking hands and saying hello, a few dripping with sweat.

Rockford's Fire Department kicked off today's nearly two-hour event as people stood in support of the American flag, then waved and cheered as the parade kicked off.

Teresa Hecker was among those gathered along East State Street who look forward to the annual event.

"I like just about everything in the parade," she said, while sitting with family members. "I really like seeing the expressions on the children faces."

Nick Denale, 11, sat patiently in a lawn chair with his grandparents as the parade trickled by. Even he could not resist the sweet temptations that are one of the hallmarks of the Labor Day event.

"I like everything but mostly the candy," he said.