There is something so American about a 4th of July neighborhood parade. The grown-ups all sitting on their porches, sipping sweet tea out of mason jars. The children riding down the sidewalks on festively decorated bicycles.
Can you picture it?
We lucked out when moving onto our street and ended up with some pretty amazing neighbors. They already had standing holiday traditions, but the greatest neighborhood day of celebration, the 4th of July, was missing from the neighborhood social calendars.
Not on my watch! But what if you don’t know how to host a 4th of July parade? It’s okay. This year I’m hosting our first annual 4th of July parade. Since I didn’t know how to host a 4th of July parade before I began my planning, I wanted to share my 4th of July parade checklist which you can print out and use for yourself (get the link at the bottom).
How to Host a 4th of July Parade:
1. Home of the Brave and Well Decorated: Get out the bunting and get your front porch swag on! Don’t have any? Pick up inexpensive plastic tablecloths from the dollar store in red, white, and blue and tie with twine.
2. Don’t Tread on Me Bicycles: I’m pretty sure there’s an amendment to the Constitution saying it is unlawful not to have children riding on decorated bicycles in your patriotic 4th of July parade. Add a little pizzazz to those handle bars and you’re all set.
3. Liberty & Justice for All Riders: Wagons need not be excluded. Actually, small children up the cute quotient considerably. In my neighborhood, we have an equal number of skateboarders to bicyclists. Helmets make for fabulous statement pieces also.
4. Dress Like a Yankee Doodle Boy or Girl: Whether you pick up an Old Navy flag shirt (always cheap this time of year) or DIY up something adorable, everybody needs to fashionably represent on the 4th.
5. Let Freedom Ring Noisemakers: Let our Founding Fathers know the 4th of July parade is coming! Decorate two paper plates, fill with beans, and staple together. It’s an easy peasy, inexpensive noisemaker!
6. Give Me Liberty or Give Me Sparklers: I have a friend (who shall remain nameless) that was forced to wear an eye patch for weeks after shooting a bottle rocket into her eye. After that, I’ve been quite weary of setting off fireworks at home. But sparklers are much more manageable and a ton of fun, even for the kids. Don’t forget the red solo cup to shield their little hands. Just punch a hole through the bottom of the cup and put over the sprinkler. The sprinkler should slip right through and the cup acts a shield for their hand.
7. O Say, Can You See My Pom Poms: Ribbons hot glued to a stick or crepe paper Pom Poms let us bring out our inner cheerleader. A little 4th of July parade waving is good for us.
8. Sweet Land of Liberty Treats: Treat your parade marchers to red, white, and blue treats and beverages at the finish line. Party like it’s 1776, America! These Patriotic Pretzels are a great choice. They’re so easy to make and super festive. If you want to serve a cake, cupcakes or cake pops, these 4th of July cake ideas are a great option too!
Get your free, printable How to Host a 4th of July Parade Checklist!
Come this 4th of July, my neighbors and I will be honoring this sweet land of liberty.
How do you celebrate the 4th of July?
Looking for more fun ideas, how about these crafts for July 4th.
Robin Masshole mommy says
We are looking forward to going to the parade this year. As long as we have lots of snacks and drinks, we will be good to go 🙂
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This is such a cute idea. Why go to a parade when you can have your own. I love it!
Pam says
Those are the cutest ideas for a parade for kids. It would be fun to incorporate into a July 4th cookout too!
Tracey says
What a fun idea to create your own parade! I’m sure this would be a huge hit among the neighbourhood kids.
rachel ferrucci says
I love this idea! I may have to grab all the kids and create a parade. I would have loved to do this as a kid
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
#2 Definitely made me laugh, we don’t see too many people on bicycles around here on the Fourth, but it is a nice way to get the kids into it! 🙂
Jeanine says
how fun. i wish we had more parades. we don’t do 4th of july but even a canada day one in the city would be neat. how fun would it be to do one yourself?
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
Now this is a great idea for the kids to do on the Fourth of July! Love it! My kids and their friends would have a BLAST!
Liz Mays says
Soem pom poms and some sparklers would be fun! I’m loving the idea of having people decorate their bikes too!
Felicia says
What a super sweet idea. Our favorite little parade happens on Ocracoke Island every year. I wish we could be there!
Catherine S says
What a great idea. We usually have a BBQ and set off fireworks with friends.
Marcie W. says
My kids would love the idea of being able to star in their own parade. Since we do not celebrate in our own neighborhood, perhaps they can arrange something small yet fun.
Kristi says
This would be such a fun idea for a neighborhood with lots of kids. Would be fun to watch everyone in red, white and blue!
Penelope says
What a fun way to celebrate the 4th! My neighbors would get a kick seeing all of the kids out there!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
So many wonderful ideas. Our neighborhood is doing a big big pot luck. The kids will be doing a bile/scooter parade.
Chrystal | YUM eating says
We don’t generally go to any 4th of July parades. Every year my husband goes to his cousins where they camp out on his property for the weekend. The whole family comes. He has a pond and they do a ton of activities and such.
Stacey says
Our 4th of July usually consists of a cookout with the family. We can usually see the fireworks from our house, so no need to go anywhere!
Ann Bacciaglia says
This would be so much fun to do with the neighborhood kids. I will have to talk to some of my neighbors about it. Ours would have to be for Canada day.
Kiwi says
OMG new family tradition! I never thought to have my own family parade cute idea!
Raijean says
Now this is a super fun idea, I could do with the boychild. He would love this.
Shell says
This is such an adorable idea! No parade here, but we are having a block party.
Rosey says
I can’t believe it came so very fast!! I am excited but nervous to see summer so swiftly passing by already.
Jeannette says
These are such cute ideas! I had never thought of putting on our own parade but I’m going to get kids involved and see what they want to do!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I would have never thought of hosting a parade. What a cute idea! That would be fun to get all the kids on my block to do!
Ellen Christian (@ellenblogs) says
She’s just adorable! What a fun idea for the 4th of July!
Stephanie @ Diary of a Debutante says
HOW CUTE! Such wonderful ideas… and such an adorable little model you have! Happy {early} 4th!
xo,
Stephanie
Diary of a Debutante
http://www.thediaryofadebutante.com
Carly Brydon says
These are some great ideas for a 4th of July parade! One of the things I love most about July 4th is the parade our town has.
Shannon Gurnee says
That is such a cute picture! Kids love participating in 4th of July parades!