Staff photo by Fritz Busch Cambria’s 4th of July parade includes dozens of units that circle the community Saturday.

CAMBRIA — Celebrants came from near and far for the 155th annual Cambria Independence Day celebration, believed to be the state’s longest-running event of its type.

Beth Stearns Banon accompanied her Swiss husband and their son Ethan from Geneva, Switzerland to Cambria the authenticity of it.

“We’ve come to Cambria for July 4th the last four years,” she said. “We just love coming back here. This is where my mom grew up. My uncles and aunts have lived around here for a long time. We love coming back here for the small town love and lots of authenticity. We love the fireworks here and enjoy sharing everything here with our children and making it a traditional, fun-filled weekend for them.”

Banon said the small town American cultural event is “quite amazing” for her Swiss-born husband Eran.

Banen works in human resources for the Global Fund, an international organization that is a worldwide partnership to defeat AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria to ensure a healthier, safer, more equitable future for all.

“It’s not the same in a big city. We came for the authenticity here,” said Eran Banen.

After children’s games were played in the park, a community potluck picnic followed.

The good-sized parade included several dozen units circling the community.

A patriotic program followed in Cambria Town Hall. The history of the Cambria Philharmonic Orchestra included spirited music and a community sing-along.

After a fancy cake auction, live music by Ben Scruggs and DD and Roscoe carried on into the evening.

Cambria Historical Preservation Society member Ross Deopere said the non-profit organization helps keep the July 4th event going.

“Our fireworks show comes completely from donations,” he said. “The cake auction helps out with financing too. We also ask for donations at the fireworks show. We hope to keep this event going. This is like a big homecoming. I just saw an old friend I haven’t seen in decades.”

The Cambria Fall Festival will be held 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at Cambria Town Hall. Plans call for historical education, live music and a food truck.