PHILIPSBURG — Philipsburgers past and present turned out for the Heritage Days Grand Parade on Saturday, the crown jewel in the six-day community festival.

Brian Pelka, of Bradford, a Mountie from the Class of 1989, staked out a prime piece of viewing real estate in front of the historic St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Presqueisle Street, and cheered for every marching band that went by, with help from daughters Lainey, 1, and Sofia, 21/ 2.

He was just one of the many who came back for the parade, an event that Heritage Days Committee Chairman Jim Pollock says encourages people to come home for family reunions and class gatherings.

Rebecca Owens brought her three children from Clearfield to watch the parade line up in front of her mother’s porch. A short walk to Presqueisle gave them a great view and bags of bubble gum and lollipops tossed from passing firetrucks and floats to fuel their cheering.

“This is a great festival,” said Susan Sidorick, of the Philipsburg Kiwanis Club, while she dipped ice cream on Front Street. “This is Philipsburg’s homecoming.”

Events continued with music and fireworks at Cold Stream Dam, and conclude today with a car show on Front Street and cow chip bingo at the Philipsburg- Osceola Memorial Field.