Shown is a float with hay and balloons Saturday at the 47th Annual Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival.

 Michelle Payne/Times Virginian

Families emerged from their homes Saturday morning to crowd along each side of the street in the downtown area of the Town of Appomattox. Their purpose? To enjoy the annual Railroad Festival parade.

Children could be seen jumping up and down — hoping to catch the many fistfuls of candy thrown out into the crowds from the parade units.

Some of the festival-goers lived alongside the parade route.

Mary Williams was one such person. In between posing for a photo op with a cutout of President Donald Trump, she explained that her family was able to enjoy the parade from their yard. A great convenience, she said with a laugh.

There’s more to this story in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.