Although the young cousins live many miles apart, Leanna in Chicago and Elizabeth in Washington, D.C., both prepare for an Easter parade against the backdrop of World War II.
Andy wants two things very much--to win the contest for the best decorated bicycle in the "Home Sweet Home parade" and to be a hero--but his best friend Dolores stands in the way of at least one goal.
Billy buys a doughnut and ties it to his belt with a string while walking down Main Street, and unwittingly sets off a chain of events that amazes and delights the entire town.
To prove he is brave enough to portray his ancestor in a town parade, Abner Willow eats a bowl of fried grasshoppers and suddenly gains the magical ability to leap and jump.
Harvey is so excited when the mayor appoints him Parade Chairman for a big celebration that he forgets something very important but, fortunately, his dog, Fred, remembers.
Mrs. Ming's seventh dragon, Silk Peony, becomes the official dragon of China, but not before Mrs. Ming haggles with the wily mandarin who goes back on his word to pay for using the glorious dragon in the emperor's New Year's parade.
Once a year on Elmer's Day, all the elephants decorate themselves and have a parade, and this year Elmer comes up with a plan to include the other animals as well as the elephants.