With the theme, “United We Stand,” the Brandon Fourth of July Parade is sure to bring honor to all those who have fought to make our country what it is.
On Saturday, July 4, residents are invited to come and take part in the parade that makes its way through the area every year. Starting at 10 a.m., the parade will begin at the intersection of Parsons Ave. and Lumsden Rd., head north on Parsons to Robertson St. There it will make a left, heading west and end in the Publix Shopping Center’s parking lot.
The Community Roundtable (formerly The Presidents’ Roundtable) is the host of the event.
Before the parade begins, the morning of July 4, the new Honorary Mayor of Brandon will be announced as the candidate who raised the most money for local charities. Riding through the streets of Brandon during the parade, the Father of the Year will also be announced as chosen by the Roundtable after local children write 50 words or less about their Dads in school.
Last year, participants in the parade included local active military and veterans. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department also offered its support by providing volunteers. The Bloomingdale Summer Band played some of the parade’s music.
There were also local football and cheerleading groups as well as Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops in the parade. Some local churches put together floats and sang during the parade.
The parade included local organizations such as the Crew of Fort Brookes, McDonalds, the Bloomingdale Fire Department, the Rough Riders, the Lion’s Club, the Elks, the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, and car clubs, the Osprey Observer / My Osprey TV and Skateland of Brandon.
The Community Roundtable is still looking for participants in the parade this year. To participate, one needs to fill out an application available at the local chambers of commerce and turn it in. The application is also available via e-mail. The deadline for applications is Saturday, June 6.
According to Nickerson, member of the Presidents’ Roundtable, the judges for the parade, will be seated behind Clayton Plaza to view the parade.
The Community Roundtable hosts the Community Affairs Dinner annually, taking place in May every year and used to announce awards including the participants in the Honorary Mayor’s race, which it also puts on annually. It is also involved in the Halloween Horribles Parade at Center Place as well as its Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
For more information, contact Nickerson at 661-4350 with a 24-hour voicemail service or e-mail roundtable2008@aol.com.
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