This theme picked for the Third of July Parade is an excellent choice.

Too often parade themes in towns across America find a new way to say the same thing. This same subject is done over and over but with new words.

And that subject is history.

It is termed as “heritage” or “past” or “yesteryear” or “good-old days” or one of scores of ways to say it.

Indeed, the Albert Lea Tribune loves history. We enjoy printing stories, even books, about the proud history of the Albert Lea area. Today’s news becomes tomorrow’s history.

However, anyone, even history lovers, can admit parades all across America focusing on the same topic so frequently becomes dull. Give parade-goers something else to get excited about.

The organizers of the Third of July Parade this year let the public decide via an online poll. The winner is “Heart of America.”

This parade theme is fitting because of the Independence Day celebration, our city’s crossroads position in the Midwest, our residents’ willingness to serve our country and even the recent focus on getting our citizens to be more heart-healthy. Yes, there are many ways to look at it.

And from the looks of it, the parade committee offered good options from which voters could choose. Topics included films, wonders and holidays.

Good job, parade committee. Way to get the public excited about the Third of July Parade, which, as we all know, is an outstanding parade.