Lower Southampton Township joins many towns and cities throughout the United States this year with a special parade on July 4th, honoring the nation’s historic semiquincentennial or 250th birthday.
On Saturday, July 4, at 1 p.m., everyone is welcome to join in the fun along the parade route. The parade’s theme is “Red, White & You!” The patriotic festivities kick off at 3rd Street and Bustleton Pike, crossing over Street Road and ending on Bridgetown Pike and School Lane. The rain date is Saturday, July 11.
Michelle Perrin, the event’s coordinator and member of the Lower Southampton Fourth of July Parade Committee, said the Independence Day parade will feature many diverse groups ranging from marching bands and scouting troops to bagpipers, LSAA sporting teams and local performers to township first responders, businesses, local officials and nonprofit groups.
“We gave out over 3,000 programs last year on the day of the parade. We had a great turnout and we’re hoping to have much more this year," she said. "I think that everyone who has signed up will go all out this year, especially for the 250th celebration."
The parade committee invited local organizations, schools, veterans’ groups, businesses and families to participate by marching, performing, volunteering or sponsoring the parade.
“It is a community celebration and there is something for everyone. We have our local first responders participating. The Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad, Feasterville Fire Company, Lower Southampton Fire Company and Lower Southampton Police Department will be there. And, the parade starts with an honor guard.”
Perrin noted that the parade will have three designated performance areas and will feature music of all types. The performance areas will be located in front of John Kennedy Ford of Feasterville at Gerald Avenue and Bustleton Pike; in front of Coastal Auto Repair at Ruth Street and Bustleton Pike; and just before the Lower Southampton Early Learning Center at Bridgetown Pike and Milton Street.
“We have 10 bands. Four of the bands are high school-age marching bands. We have several local bands and other bands coming from as far as Puerto Rico and Wisconsin,” said Perrin. “Our wonderful Tri-County Band is coming, a local band and also the Uptown String Band from the Mummers. Also coming back are our regulars, the Daisy Jug Band, Polkadelphia and St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band.”
The bands performing include: Banda Escolar De Guayanilla of Puerto Rico, Daisy Jug Band of Newtown, Harrison Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps of New Jersey, Jazz Vespers Dixieland Band of New Jersey, Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin, Polkadelphia of Philadelphia, Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps of Reading, St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band of New Jersey, Tri-County Band of Feasterville and Uptown String Band of Langhorne.
Volunteers and sponsors play a vital role in making this event possible, Perrin noted.
“We’re really excited about the parade. It will all come together and be a great celebration. We especially need lots of volunteers the day of the parade, so if anyone is interested, please contact the parade committee to help us out,” Perrin noted.
To volunteer the day of the parade or for more information, call 215-668-3613 or email LS4thofJulyParadeCommittee@gmail.com or visit lowersouthamptontownship.org/America250.
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