SLIDESHOW: Parade Route, Venue Changes Don't Stop the Fun at Nokesville Day Celebration

Photo by Jamie Rogers

Residents gathered in the parking lot of Brentsville District High School to enjoy food, entertainment, vendors, and most of all, their neighbors at the annual celebration, organized by the Nokesville-Bristow Ruritans, a local service organization. Allen Thomas, a member of the organization, said even though the changes happened fast, a lot of people seemed to have found out about it in time and were able to make adjustments and still attend Nokesville Day.

The closing of the 132-year-old Aden Road Bridge this spring made Fitzwater Drive a traffic detour route, so it wasn't possible for it to be closed for the parade route.

Instead, the parade marched from The Nokesville School, across this new access road and in front of Brentsville District High School to the end of the bus loop at Aden Road.

"Actually, I think it did very well," Thomas said of the parade. " are taking this chance and trying something new with us."

He may speak to the other Ruritans about next year's parade following the same route instead of returning to the traditional route, Thomas said.

Nokesville Day has been held since 1946 and is a way for the Ruritans to say thank you to the community, he said.

This year the group is especially grateful to Don Taylor for being the master of ceremonies for the event and the parade announcer, Thomas added.

Photo by Jamie Rogers

Local teenagers Tanner Brown, Cade Neumann and Troy Stossel were three of the many who attended Saturday's event.

Brown said the highlight of the event for him was seeing and hearing the Patriot High School Band march in the parade.

His friend, Stossel agreed, praising on the band's cadence, rhythm and precision.

The Brentsville District Marching Band also wowed parade onlookers.

Several politicians marched in the parade, including Board of County Supervisor Chairman At-Large Corey Stewart, Prince William County Sheriff Glen Hill, Commonwealth's attorney for Prince William County Paul Ebert and Prince William County Clerk of Court Michéle McQuigg.

Also in attendance was the the Nokesville Volunteer Fire Department, which prides itself on being supportive every community event, said Mark Engeman president of the fire department.

It is this support that lead to the entire fire department being named the  2015 Citizen of the Year by the Nokesville-Bristow Ruritans, he said.