Hernando Optimists Bicycle Parade celebrates the Fourth of July

Photo: The long line of bicyclists and their families heading down Center Street on their way to the DeSoto County Courthouse on Monday, July 3. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

The Hernando Fourth of July holiday doesn’t start with fireworks, instead it starts with the annual Optimist Club of Hernando Fourth of July Bicycle Parade, which was again held on Monday, July 3 as it has for more than a decade.

Youngsters get to ride Center Street to and around the Courthouse Square and then head back to the staging area at Hernando Baptist Church.

Bicyclists get a bike helmet if they don’t have any and the Hernando Police Department is there for a quick safety check before they start their ride.

Here are some of the photos taken from the parade. Happy Fourth of July!!