For 60 years, the Dream City has saluted America at the Arlington Independence Day Parade, turning out in red, white and blue to show their patriotism as Scouts, high school bands, churches and businesses march through downtown.
Named the best parade of its size in the state by the Texas Festival and Events Association in 2023, this year’s parade will roll at 9 a.m. July 4.
More than 100 parade entries will give their interpretation of the parade theme, “Home Run for Heroes,” including representatives from Major League Baseball’s World Champion Texas Rangers.
Grand marshal, MLB Hall of Famer and former Texas Rangers pitcher Ferguson Jenkins, will help kick off the parade, along with other special guests from the Rangers.
“We are excited for the 60th edition of the Arlington Independence Day Parade on July 4th in downtown Arlington,” said Will Busby, communications co-chair for the Arlington Independence Day Parade board of directors. “Spectators will surely see their annual favorites marching and rolling through the streets, and we’ll have guests who will excite the whole family. We thank our sponsors and the community for helping us put on this exciting event each year in the American Dream City.”
The event hits the ground running at 7 a.m. when the second annual Firecracker 5K takes off from the Levitt Pavilion, 100 W. Abram St., and makes two loops on the parade route.
And the parade’s mascot, Sparky, the only legal firecracker in Arlington, will also be on hand.
Up to 40,000 attendees will line the route to watch the Arlington Independence Day Parade, spreading blankets, chairs, coolers and canopies along the curbs. Busby advises scouting the route in advance on the parade’s website, arlington4th.org, to make sure you get a good spot.
This year’s parade is dedicated to Arlington-area first responders, many of whom will be on hand to keep the parade safe, including the Arlington police and fire departments.
The Arlington Independence Day Parade is planned and produced by an all-volunteer board of directors and made possible by hundreds of local volunteers and sponsors who support the non-profit event.
For more information, go to arlington4th.org.
