RUTLAND, Mass. - Many cities and towns in Central Massachusetts are celebrating the Fourth of July holiday this weekend with Fireworks, cookouts and parades. The town of Rutland jumped in on the action with a celebration for its younger residents.

The town hosted a handful of events Saturday, including a bike and doll carriage parade. Organizers say the tradition of the parade goes back decades. Kids who participated decorated their bikes, wagons, scooters, carriages, whatever they had, and then rode them over near the town's 'sunny common.' While there were some clouds mixed in, there was still a nice turnout for the festivities as roughly 80 kids signed up for the parade Saturday.

"It's a great chance for the kids to show off their patriotism and everyone like to see cute kids with sparkling streamers hanging off their bikes and balloons," said parade organizer Corinna Frohock. "It's a great time or the kids to have their own parade. The big kids get their parade on Monday. So, the little kids get their parade today."

Kids were judged and given prizes based on how festive and patriotic their submissions were. The town's celebrations run through the holiday weekend. The town also recently celebrated its tricentennial.