Flags waved and water sprayed during the Champaign County Freedom Celebration on Monday, which drew hundreds of spectators and participants from Champaign and surrounding counties.

The celebration began with a series of organized runs aimed at both casual and competitive runners, which attracted hundreds of participants of all ages. Spectators gathered on Kirby-Florida Avenue to watch and encourage the runners as they passed.

The 5K race began on the east side of the Assembly Hall on Fourth Street and was run toward Lincoln Avenue, continuing north before reversing back to the Assembly Hall.

Among the mass of runners, three large American flags could be seen carried on the shoulders of two brothers and their father, all Champaign locals.

Collin Rector, the youngest brother and a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, was the first of his family to cross the finish line. He said he experienced little difficultly in carrying the large flag on his shoulder while running.

Collin’s brother Jason, a Champaign firefighter, finished the race shortly afterward. Jason said this family tradition began four years ago when their father convinced the two brothers to run in the Champaign marathon.

“(We) thought we could do something patriotic,” Jason said. “We do it in honor of our grandparents.”

The temperature reached the mid- and upper-80s during the race, and while most runners focused on their stamina and hydration, some displayed their Independence Day spirit proudly even at the cost of discomfort.

“I’ve had my regrets, but now that I’ve finished I feel accomplished,” said William Lafuze, who wore an oversized felt Uncle Sam hat during the race. Lafuze said he would keep the hat on for the rest of the day.

“My head is officially a thousand degrees,” he joked.

A parade followed the race, featuring floats and vehicle processions honoring active military personnel and veterans, the local firefighter and police departments, various high school marching bands and Shriners in tiny cars.

However, there was some decidedly non-traditional parade fare.

Darth Vader, flanked by imperial stormtroopers, strolled down Kirby-Florida Avenue behind a troop of cub scouts wishing spectators a happy Fourth of July. One of the stormtrooper’s armor was decorated with stars and red and blue patches, adding patriotism to the iconic menace of the original Star Wars trilogy.

“You have to suspend disbelief a little bit,” said Champaign native Ryan Summers, who was also in costume. Summers is a member of the 501st Legion, whose 5,000 international members construct and wear costume replicas of villains from the Star Wars trilogy.

However, the most popular feature of the parade was not Vader’s imposing figure: It was the two firetrucks that sprayed showers of water into crowds of laughing, screaming children.

The celebration continued into the evening in Dodds Park, which featured musical entertainment by Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets and children’s activities at 7 p.m. The fireworks at 9 p.m. concluded the holiday festivities.