The Midtown Neighborhood Association will host its 35th annual Old-Fashioned 4th of July parade and celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 4, according to a community announcement.
The theme for this year’s event is “250 Years Young: Celebrating the Birth of the USA.” The parade will feature a variety of entries, including antique cars and trucks, scout troops, floats and decorated vehicles. The parade will begin at the intersection of Central Street and Drury Lane, head west on Central to Benton Avenue, then north on Benton. It will then turn east on Calhoun, north on Washington Avenue, cross Division Street and end at Locust Street in Historic Washington Park, where the celebration will continue.
Grand marshal to lead parade
The grand marshal for this year’s parade is Dr. Lori Elliott, principal of Boyd Elementary School. The park celebration follows the parade and runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to the announcement.
Alberta Smith and her daughter, Aubrey, will open the park program by singing the national anthem. Attendees can enjoy music, free water and ice cream from the Springfield Police “Cold Patrol.” There will also be free children’s games and a DNA BBQ food truck offering a special for purchase along with its barbecue favorites…