Donna Macomber and her daughter Mackenzie pose with former Providence Mayor Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci Jr., who for two hours basked in the adulation of thousands while marching in Bristol’s Fourth of July Parade, as Macomber’s daughter Erin takes their photo.

The Providence Journal / John Freidah

BRISTOL — The Shriners were back in their funny cars and funnier costumes. There were not one, but two of the Red Sox’ World Series trophies. Polished marching bands strutted their stuff.

And then there was Buddy.

In a parade with hundreds of participants that stretched over four hours, it was hard for anyone to steal the show. But former Providence Mayor Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci Jr. came close.

Cianci had been a virtual fixture in the parade since 1974, when he was first elected mayor of the capital city, until he was convicted of federal racketeering conspiracy in 2002 and sentenced to a five-year prison term.

This was his first time back, and his return whipped the crowd into a frenzy.

“Welcome back, Buddy!” they screamed.

“Buddy for mayor!”

“Buddy for governor!”

“Buddy for president!”

More than 200 people approached the 67-year-old Cianci with outstretched arms, for a handshake, a hug, a kiss. They grabbed his face in their hands, calling him “so cute.” They thrust their babies into his arms. They handed him American flags. They snapped photo after photo after photo. Everyone at the parade, it seemed, knew Cianci, or at least felt like they did.

Kim Madden, of Bristol, gave Cianci a big hug.

“I love his marinara sauce,” Madden said. “I’d vote for him if he ran.”

John Hugo, of Bristol, pushed his cell phone to Cianci’s ear so he could say hello to Hugo’s wife, Margaret.

Pearl Bettancourt, an employee of the Providence School Department, held a sign declaring: “City Workers Love Buddy.”

“Good reception, huh?” Cianci grinned to a reporter.

Cianci and the other marchers walked along a 2.6-mile parade route through the heart of Bristol that was a sea of red, white and blue. This is a town so patriotic that it had a federal law changed so it could paint the center stripe along its main thoroughfare in the colors of the flag.

Tens of thousands of spectators lined Hope and High streets, some sitting 10 and even 15 rows deep in places. The parade they were there to see was the culmination of the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the country, now in its 223rd year.

The day began at 8:30 a.m. with the Patriotic Exercises in Independence Park. Guest speaker William Bundy, former director of the state Department of Transportation and now a professor at the Naval War College, in Newport, discussed the “real meaning” of patriotism, which he said has two faces.

“A view of the past in which we cherish our heritage and our love of country, and a view to the future illuminated by beams of hope and the determination to create a world that is better than the one we grew up in,” he said.

As the 10:30 a.m. start time for the parade neared, marchers gathered at the corner of Hope and Chestnut streets, where the famous red-white-and-blue stripe down Hope Street begins.

The Mt. Hope High School marching band warmed up with “Soul Man.” Sgt. Daniel Clark, a former Massachusetts state policeman who now goes by the name “The Singing Trooper,” went through his voice exercises. The “Patriotic Stilt Walker” stood by in his red sequined pants.

Chief Marshal Ed Castro waited at the front, pacing nervously and accepting congratulations from well-wishers. Leading this storied parade is considered the highest honor in Bristol and Castro couldn’t suppress his excitement.

“This morning I was so emotional I couldn’t talk,” the native Bristolian said.

Clark took the microphone and gave a boisterous rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” As the last note faded, Castro cut the ceremonial ribbon. And the parade stepped off with Town Crier Gerry MacNeill leading the way, clanging his brass bell.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

AMONG THEM was 83-year-old Harold Pedley, who’s come to the parade every year nearly his whole life.

“Since I was knee-high,” he proclaimed.

The only parades he missed were the two years he served in the military during World War II.

Buzz Santini, 67, hadn’t been to the parade since he was a teenager. His parents immigrated to Bristol from Italy and used to take their children to the parade. It was his late mother’s favorite event.

To honor his mother’s recent death, he brought his wife to the parade from their Long Island home.

“I’ve been looking forward to this ever since I was a teenager,” he said. “It’s been fabulous.”

There was the usual collection of local and state elected officials. Governor Carcieri was accompanied by his wife Sue, followed by Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, General Treasurer Frank Caprio and Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis.

Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse walked together along with Rep. James Langevin. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy marched with Navy sailors.

“Hi sweetheart,” one woman said as she gave Kennedy a hug.

Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, Cianci’s successor, was flanked by a color guard of police officers and a troupe of firefighters.

Cianci, who was representing radio station WPRO-AM, which hosts his talk show, was farther back in the parade. He didn’t turn onto the parade route until 12:45 p.m.

“Take a deep breath,” Cianci said as he rounded the corner. “Here we go.”

The cheers didn’t stop for the next two hours as Cianci strolled down Hope Street, wearing a microphone tucked beneath his patriotic tie to capture parade sounds for a future radio show.

The positive attention seemed to overwhelm the former Providence mayor.

“It’s fantastic,” he said as he finished the parade route at about 2 p.m. “I feel very thankful. When I was walking, I didn’t know how people would react. It’s overwhelming. It was constant cheering. It’s tremendous.”

Former Providence Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr. — now Cianci’s landlord at The 903 apartments in Providence — was in the crowd and marveled at the spectacle.

“People love him and he loves them,” Paolino said. “They have that in common: They love each other.”

Twenty-four performing groups and 20 floats took part in the parade. They included a Johnny Depp look-alike dressed as the Pirates of the Caribbean star, marching bands from Minnesota and Pennsylvania, and a team of Clydesdales.

The Rhode Island Shriners were back after a 21-year absence. They were given warm applause as they walked past in their clown costumes.

The parade wrapped up after 2:30 p.m., and took place without any major problems. Police and rescuers didn’t report any serious injuries or incidents.

For Castro, the chief marshal, the parade would end, but he won’t let go of his title.

He got to keep the chief marshal’s medallion that he wore during the parade. And whenever he meets any of the other past marshals, he’ll be able to introduce himself as one of them.

“I’m a chief forever,” he said.Holiday weekend events

TODAY

Pawtucket: Fireworks, McCoy Stadium, following the 6:05 p.m. PawSox game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Block Island: Concert. Fred Benson Town Beach Pavilion, Corn Neck Road, Block Island. Booze Beggers at 7:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

TOMORROW

Newport: Celebrate America. Naval Station, Dewey Field, Newport, concert and fireworks. Soul Power, rhythm & blues at 5 p.m.; Navy Band Northeast, patriotic marches and light concert pieces at 7 p.m.; salute to veterans; 25-minute fireworks display at 8:45 p.m. The event is free; bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. The public may enter through Gate One, the main entrance near the Officers’ Club, beginning at 4 p.m. Music, concession and games for children begin at 5 p.m. No coolers, backpacks, glass bottles or pets will be allowed.

Seekonk: Seekonk Speedway, fireworks following the demolition derby. Gates open at 3 p.m., race begins at 5. $20, $5 ages 12 and younger.

mwims@projo.com