POCATELLO — Local members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrated America’s 250th birthday by creating a float that celebrated religious freedom for all.
Larry Fisher, a member of the church who worked on the float, said he and his wife were asked by Kent Tingey, communications director for the Highland South Stake, if they wanted to help build the float.
“We worked on it for a couple of weeks,” Fisher said. “It was the one with the Statue of Liberty, and it had a big 250 in the front.”
The float also featured a couple of banners. One was carried by a couple of children in the front and said “250 Years of Religious Freedom.” The other was on the side and said “One Nation, Many Faiths.”
“That was what we focused on,” Fisher said. “We wanted to emphasize religious freedom and that we all have the right to worship as our conscience dictates. That’s important for our nation.”
Members of the church were joined by the Islamic Society of Southeast Idaho during the parade.
“We wanted to recognize all faiths as part of religious freedom,” Fisher said.
Fisher enjoyed working on the float, seeing it all come together and working with the people who helped build it. He also loved watching the reaction of the community when they saw it in the parade.
“It was fun being in the parade and seeing the excitement of the kids and everyone cheering,” Fisher said. “One kid said, ‘I love you, Statue of Liberty.’”
Fisher also loved watching everyone at the parade express their love for their country and the freedoms they enjoy.
“The adults were cheering as we went by, applauding in support of the float,” Fisher said. “They liked it.”
Fisher said he thought the organizers of the parade did a great job. He said it was well-organized and the people who watched it seemed to enjoy it.
“It was a beautiful day,” Fisher said. “It was a great way to start the Fourth of July. It was a really nice day for our community.”