He’s the kid of a firefighter and a cop’s brother, and for almost a decade, he’s served as the council representative for the Dimmeydale neighborhood where he grew up and where he lives now.
And Ty Thorngate, his wife, Jess, and their son, Leo, will continue enjoying their own little slice of American pie this morning at 10:30 a.m. when the family attends Dimmeydale’s 87th annual Fourth of July Parade. Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder will cruise through and so will Wheeling first responders and the Color Guard from American Legion Post 1.
It’s a big deal in Dimmeydale.
“Growing up, the 4th of July Parade was THE event of the summer,” said the 5th Ward councilman. “The night before, I would be in the driveway decorating my bike with red, white, and blue streamers, flags, and anything I could find that was remotely patriotic.
“Winning the title of ‘Best Bike’ earned you unlimited bragging rights for the rest of the summer,” he recalled. “Whether you were riding a bike, rolling in a Power Wheel, or just walking with your family, you felt like part of something big. That sense of neighborhood pride made Dimmeydale feel like a slice of pure Americana.”
Thorngate still remembers the cheers, the fanfare, the waving American flags, and, well, the smell of, um, fumes?
“I was in the parade every single year until middle school,” he said. “Then I was, you know, too cool.
“I started out riding with my parents, then moved to cruising with my friends, all of us following way too close to the fire truck that led the way,” he said. “I can still smell the exhaust fumes … but it didn’t matter, we were in a parade.
And this year, it’s Leo’s turn. All by himself.
“This is a big year at the Thorngate house,” Ty reported. “My son is finally riding solo! He’s been in the parade every year since he was born. First in a wagon, then roller skates, then on a bike with training wheels.
“And now, he’s ready to ride on his own,” the councilman added. “He’s learning that the parade isn’t just about showing off your decorations, it’s tradition. It’s about belonging to a community and being proud of it.
“That’s the lesson I’m most proud to pass down.”
