Flat Creek Parade Committee (l. to r.) Dottie Pickett, Alicia Terry, and Linda Wyckoff.
GILBOA—Red fire trucks flashing safety lights. Kids on bikes with American flags tied to their handlebars. A large tent protecting grilled hot dogs from the threatening rain. The brilliant New England white of the Flat Creek Baptist Church against a cloudy blue sky. An exuberant “Uncle Sam” Pickett greeting the crowds. The Town of Gilboa dressed itself in red, white, and blue to proclaim the 23rd annual Flat Creek Community Parade honoring 13-year-old William Terry, the parade’s founder. Years ago, William thought his small town, pop. 1,358, needed a 4th of July parade to celebrate America’s birthday and he was determined to do something about it.
More than two decades later, townspeople, summer vacationers, and others from neighboring towns, like Conesville, Grand Gorge, Jefferson, Stamford, and Prattsville gather at the over-200-year-old Baptist Church on Flat Creek Road to march in the town’s 4th of July parade and honor William’s memory.
The parade’s beginnings date to 2003, from the idea of then nine-year-old William Terry, of Gilboa, son of Alicia Hallock Terry and William Terry. Recognizing that his town didn’t have a 4th of July celebration, William decided to change that. He wanted to bring his neighbors closer together, celebrate America’s birthday, and give kids like himself a fun event to call their own. Alongside family friends Patrice Hallock and her daughters—Catherine, Taye, and Stephanie—William ignited a spark that continues as the annual "Flat Creek Community Parade."
William passed away tragically and unexpectedly in September 2008 at just 13 years old. He was an 8th-grade student at Gilboa-Conesville Central School, a dedicated 4-H member, and an avid outdoorsman. Farming was William's passion; he loved working on local farms like the Danforth, School Hill, and Scotch View, and he put immense care into raising Jersey cows. Whether he was walking with his beloved dogs, Hooter and Dixie, or leading those early July 4th parades alongside his favorite farm heifer, William’s love for rural life was clear to everyone who knew him.
“Best bud” Tyler Latta was at this year’s parade with his entire family. Tyler, who is the owner of Latta’s Lawncare in Gilboa, remembered his long-ago friend, “We were best buddies,” he said. “We used to do the parade together in those early years. Me, William, and Joe Cooper. Joe’s gone now, too. But not forgotten,” he says with a smile, pointing to his family entourage and his patriotically-decorated tractors, gathered today in celebration of America 250 and in honor of his childhood friend.
Tyler and his family aren’t the only ones who have gathered to celebrate America’s milestone birthday. Over the years, the event has grown from 70 to several hundred participants and visitors.
William’s impact on his community remains strong. Following his passing, neighbors rallied to keep the parade going and to ensure that William’s patriotic vision of local unity would continue to march on.
Today, organized by the Flat Creek Parade Committee of community leaders—including William's mother, Alicia Terry, Linda Wyckoff and Dottie Pickett—the event also functions as a grassroots effort and a testament to America’s enduring promise.
The procession features local youth groups, farm families, area non-profits, and the foundational support of the Flat Creek Baptist Church. The route also functions as a community fundraiser, collecting donations for the Conesville Fire Department and regional emergency services. The parade receives enthusiastic neighborhood participation: local farmers driving proud brigades of vintage tractors and antique cars, alongside children pedaling bikes, wagons, ATV’s and strollers decked out in red, white, and blue.
By keeping this 23-year tradition alive, Gilboa shows that Independence Day belongs to you and me and our next-door neighbors and friends. When asked where she was from, one 6-year-old visiting parade goer answered simply, “America.”
We think William would have loved that.
