Plans are under way for the annual Park Street Fourth of July parade, which will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4.
(Note: If you want to see where to line up, check out a map of the staging plan here.)
“The Fourth of July parade is a neighborhood tradition that’s grown into one of Greenville’s biggest patriotic celebrations,” said Derek Price, the 2019 parade chairman. “We hope people have lots of fun celebrating our nation and our freedom on July 4.”
The parade starts at 10 a.m. and proceeds west on Park Street to the Kavanaugh United Methodist Church. The Greenville Police Department Color Guard will lead the parade, and Fred and Becky Crabtree have been designated as Grand Marshals. The Crabtrees are longtime Park Street residents and have supported the Park Street Historical Association for many years. Mr. Crabtree served in the United States Air Force and is a Vietnam War veteran.
Parade participants are asked to line up at 9 a.m. at the east end of Park Street, near the 7th Street turnaround.
Staging for motor vehicles will be in the same location as last year. Antique autos will stage in the parking lot at Family Fellowship Church on Division Street, while other motor vehicles will stage out of the Living Word Church parking lot.
There will be a $50 charge for any entrants doing political or commercial advertising. People wishing to advertise in the parade should bring a $50 check payable to the Park Street Historical Association. Those wanting additional information can call Dennis Mathis at 903-455-8170.
The parade will also feature appearances by the Greenville High School Band, Greenville Fire Department, Daughters of the American Revolution, Veterans of Foreign Wars, motorcycles, bicycles, tricycles, jeeps, honor guards, marching groups and equestrian entries.
The Park Street Historical Association is welcoming church groups, scout troops and community service organizations to enter a float. Antique cars, trucks and tractors, four-wheelers, motorcycles and equestrian entries are likely to be on hand. The association requests everyone decorate appropriately for the occasion featuring red, white and blue decorations.
For safety reasons, parking on Park Street is discouraged during the parade. Visitors are invited to bring chairs to sit along the sidewalks. No firearms or fireworks will be allowed during the parade, and parade organizers discourage throwing candy from floats for safety and litter reasons.
Spectators are encouraged to honor the flag during the parade by standing, removing hats and paying respect.
Additional information will be available at www.parkstreetgreenville.org.
