GENEVA, Fla. — Few parades bring out as much enthusiasm in central Florida as the annual Geneva Fourth of July celebration.

Thousands lined the streets of the unincorporated area of Geneva on Tuesday to celebrate America’s Independence Day.

Floats, marching bands, classic cars, and law enforcement vehicles were the main attraction for onlookers.

Vice president of Geneva’s Citizens Association Richard Creedon helped organize the event.

“It celebrates America. And that’s what Geneva is all about,” said Creedon.

The organizer wore a t-shirt that says “keeping it rural” as he walked along the parade route.

“We are trying to keep development at bay.”

The rural community is home to less than four thousand residents.

And Geneva takes pride in keeping large builders from coming in and developing large housing projects.

Some feel the area has a “Norman Rockwell” feeling to it.

“I love the people. They are very friendly. What you see is what you get. Love the fact that it is rural,” said Creedon.

Creedon moved to Geneva from Stanton Island, New York in 1995 because of the people and the small-town feeling.

“What were concerned about are planned developments and changing the zoning where we are going to get more density. Then we would become just like the city.”

Karla Jermynteejarden is a Sanford resident who comes to Geneva every Fourth of July to watch the parade.

“I live in Sanford Florida. I’m from a small little patriotic new England town called Hingham, Massachusetts. And this was like our parade every year,” said Jermynteejarden.

Karla has not missed this parade in the past 22 years.

“It’s the pinnacle of the year. It’s something unique. I think we have the only daytime parade in central Florida,” said Creedon.