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Sam Penrod ReportingFourth of July excitement is arriving early in Provo tonight. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people are camping out, getting ready for tomorrow's parade.
The parade is a huge event for Provo; it is expected that 250-thousand people will be out to watch the parade tomorrow. As we drove the parade route today, we found a lot of the spectators are already there.
If you didn't know today was July 3rd, just by looking at the route for Provo's Grand Parade you might think it is the Fourth of July today.
"On my way to work this morning, I was very surprised to see all the people already waiting for tomorrow."
For families, like the Smiths from Orem, camping out the day before the parade has become a family tradition.
"It's actually fun because you get to stay up all night and usually we don't get to do that, it's kind of cool."
Her brother Skyler has a favorite part of the parade.
"When blow the cannons cause sometimes they let the kids to it."
Older kids who have been watching the parade for years say it keeps getting bigger.
Jerilyn Anderson: "When I was a little girl we use to sleep out here when we were younger and nobody was on the parade route. Now you see these out here two days in advance try to save places."
Until a couple of years ago, it was actually illegal to camp before the Provo parade. But Provo City changed the law and a lot of people are spending the night.
BJ Powell has a tough job guarding some important real estate for his family to have the perfect seat for Provo's Grand parade.
BJ Powell: "I've done it every year of my life. I think we've been doing it longer than that."
But he has come prepared to help pass the time.
BJ Powell: "Went to the library and got some books, and I'm playing Yahtzee right now."
Jessica Martinez and Elizabeth Tavares camped out last night and are planning to stay over again tonight, even though last night they hardly slept.
"I slept probably two hours by now and that was this morning."
It's a long wait, but parade goers say it is worth it.
"It's getting longer and longer, just like anything else, but it's entertaining to saw the least."
The Provo parade starts tomorrow at 9 am, it runs from 11th north and University Avenue, down to Center street and then east to 900 East. If you are there, we'll see you on our KSL float.
