The streets of Ely swelled to capacity as thousands of locals and visitors alike flocked to the annual Independence Day parade

The streets of Ely swelled to capacity as thousands of locals and visitors alike flocked to the annual Independence Day parade. Photos by Eric Sherman.

Ely hockey player Jackson Ridings flips a piece of candy to the crowd with his stick.

Following closely behind the Ely Honor Guard in the parade were a truck filled with some of Ely’s veterans.

Making his annual appearance at Ely’s Independence Day parade was bagpiper Joe Linneman.

A group of kids patiently await more candy to be tossed out at Ely’s 2024 4th of July parade on Sheridan Street.

Tossing candy from the Ely Blue Line parade float was Eero Suter.

Making an appearance at the Ely July 4 parade was U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Looking for more candy were Easton Erickson, Everette Erickson and Lilly Forsman.

Sprinting to the YoungLife mattress race finish line while trying not to drop their rider Fritz Reitz were Karl Reitz, Shelby Reitz, Heidi Reitz, Ingrid Reitz, Luke Nickel, Kieran Cronin and Henry Reitz.

Running the mattress race course while rider Nelson Belsito holds on tight were Aaliyah Peterson, Dana Peterson, Harrison Betker, Aaron Carlson and Frank Belsito in the YoungLife event.