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Crowds of people dressed in red, white and blue gathered in the streets of downtown Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti's historic Depot Town to celebrate America's birthday Thursday morning at both cities' annual parades.

In Ypsilanti, home to Michigan's longest-running parade, more than 50 groups marched through Depot Town to mark the patriotic occasion, led by the Forty and Eight, a train from World War I.

The event was sponsored by the American Legion and the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees, and featured floats, local politicians and candy for the children lining the streets.

While music played and cameras flashed in Ypsilanti, another city was celebrating Independence Day as well.

Ann Arbor residents made a good showing at their own parade, which put it's own "Ann Arbor-spin" on the holiday to really gear it toward residents, according to some in attendance.

“I really like that it’s an event for the people in the city, and not something big and promotional designed to draw people in from all over the country,” longtime Ann Arbor resident Marge Rutila told AnnArbor.com the morning of the parade. “The event is really for Ann Arborites and it shows throughout the parade.”

Along with the usual candy, floats and music, in true Ann Arbor spirit, the parade was capped off with an over-sized paper mache Bo Schembechler as the icing on the local cake.

AnnArbor.com staff photographers Melanie Maxwell and Courtney Sacco captured these images. AnnArbor.com reporter Ben Freed contributed to this report.