Beverly Muzzy, one of the event’s organizers and the wife of retired army officer Rick Muzzy, said this year, in light of the war in Iraq, the event “has come home.”

“We’re not looking to the past as far as the familiar and the veterans,” Muzzy said. “This has hit locally. Kids realize what’s going on. It’s a personal thing. Every town’s affected by it.”

As always, area veterans will have a trolley to ride in along the parade route.

But this year, Muzzy, and other parade organizers, are hoping that someone will volunteer a float or two that people who have loved ones serving in the military can ride.

The committee is inviting everyone — not just McLouth residents — who has relatives in the military to bring a photo of their loved ones to the parade. Also, service men and women who are on active duty are invited to wear their uniforms and be a part of the parade.

Muzzy, who lived in Germany when her husband was serving in the Gulf War, said the day will be a poignant reminder of the ongoing military action in Iraq.

“It’s going to be hard for some of them. It’s very emotional,” she said.

A fitting addition to Patriot’s Day will be the “Liberty” carousel, a refurbished 1913 carousel decorated in red white and blue.

Another organizer of the event is Candy Braksick.

Patriot’s Day is more well known along the East Coast, Braksick said.

“It’s a wonderful event, celebrating the founding of our country,” Braksick said. “It’s the anniversary of the shot heard around the world at Lexington and Concord — it’s the shot that kicked off the Revolutionary War.”

The parade is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. Other events include a 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. musical production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” by McLouth High School students, a quilt show and a petting zoo.

Anyone who wants to volunteer a trailer or other vehicle to use as a float in the parade is asked to call Rick or Beverly Muzzy at (913) 796-6935.