LAYTON – It may not be the biggest or flashiest Independence Day parade in Utah.

But Layton's annual Liberty Days Parade suits Jennifer Wanless, a Layton resident, just fine. “It's just fun, a great way to celebrate Independence Day … plus I'm a Layton girl,” said Wanless, who was sitting along the parade route with about 10 other family members and friends.

Utahns gathered in communities across the state for Independence Day celebrations Thursday, taking a break from the work week and, more importantly, honoring the country's founding. “We're just thankful for our freedoms and our country and those who serve in our military,” Wanless said.

Provo hosted its big parade on Thursday, which organizers called “the largest of its kind in the Western United States,” while other Utah towns, big and small, held their own celebrations. Representatives from the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office attended the Independence Day parade in Granite and praised the atmosphere.

“The energy was electric and the patriotism was boundless! It was incredible to come together to celebrate freedom, unity and our great community,” the sheriff said in a Facebook post.

The Layton parade featured high school bands marching, fire trucks blaring sirens, stores advertising their wares, and many of the participants throwing candy to the children and adults gathered to witness the tradition. Most of all, it was about celebrating community, connecting with friends and family, and expressing gratitude for the freedoms Americans have.

“The sense of community, the community involvement … there are so many people here,” said Nanette Mabey, sitting in a lawn chair with her husband, Brent Mabey, touting the benefits that draw them to the Layton parade.

Layton High School graduate Michaelann Nelson and Jeremy Ricketts are regulars and secured a spot along the parade route earlier in the week – a common practice – to ensure a good vantage point.

“It's my favorite holiday,” Nelson said, noting the togetherness she sees in the parade. “It's just about all people from all walks of life coming together. You just see the whole cross-section of the community coming together. I really love that spirit of coming together.”

Ricketts, who moved to Utah from Tennessee, praised the spirit he's experienced during his years in the state — Utahns “love their parades” — while Nelson said there's something about the Layton parade, the sense of community among participants, that keeps them coming back. “We tried it in Park City for a year and then came back,” she said.

Similarly, Ashley Muir of Layton, who sat under a canopy at the corner of Wasatch Drive and North Fort Lane with her father, Jon Muir, her aunt, Jennie Warren, and other family members, said the parade in Layton was everything she wanted — seeing the new generations of middle and high school students march by in the different groups they represent made her nostalgic for her school days.

“It's our hometown,” she said. “It's just fun. There's history here… we just love Layton City.”

Ray Medina now lives in Ogden, but he made it to the Layton parade, as he has for several years, because he still has a connection to the Davis County city. His children graduated from Layton High School.

“I have a lot of roots here and this is where my family has lived the longest,” he said. “It's local. The kids enjoy it. They all have roots here.”

But there is a deeper message behind all of this, as America celebrates its birthday. “Appreciate this great country and know it,” Medina said.