Theme is ‘Grand Old Flag’
Staff writer
The annual July Fourth parade adds excitement to the celebration for which Peabody has been known for decades. This year’s event is looking like it will take its place with more than 90 other parades from past holidays.
“Even though the Fourth is on a Thursday this year, we expect a good crowd for the whole day,” said Fourth Celebration Society co-chairman Preston Hodges. “When the holiday falls in the middle of the week, there really isn’t time for people to go any distance. Lots of people come back to Peabody for the fireworks show and the events of the day. We look for the same type of crowd again this year.”
The parade will begin at 5 p.m., with lineup and registration at Peabody-Burns High School beginning at 4 p.m. The parade will leave the high school, travel down Walnut Street to Second Street and turn west to the city park, where it will end. There is no advance registration.
“There will be no wet and dry areas this year either,” Hodges said. “The fire engines will be in the parade, but no one will end up getting wet.”
The 2013 parade theme will be “Grand Old Flag.” First, second, and third place will win prizes of $300, $200, and $100 respectively. An anonymous donor has offered a $25 prize to the child with the best decorated bicycle. All prizes will be in the form of Peabody Bucks. Shane and Morgan Marler will be in charge of the parade.
Hodges also said that once again, the judges would be from out of town.
“We hope clubs, churches, organizations, businesses, and even families will consider creating a float and taking a place in the parade,” said Morgan Marler. “And we could use some clowns. We hardly ever have clowns in the parade.”