Show your colors at the Rochester Jaycees Fourth of July Kids Parade. Kids (and parents) of all ages are encouraged to walk, bike or scooter the parade route, dressed in red, white and blue.
"We encourage kids to decorate their bike, scooter or wagon in patriotic colors, build a red, white and blue float out of their wagon, dress up in patriotic costumes," said Ben Tilson, Rochester Jaycees president and parade volunteer. "We want to see some crazy cool stuff. Anything creative kids want to come up with — we're all for it."
The parade route starts at Christ United Methodist Church and ends at Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial. The parade length (a few blocks) and duration (about 15 minutes from start to end) make it very family-friendly.
"We've done the parade for more than 30 years and usually get about 200 kids. And yes, parents are invited to walk alongside their kids," Tilson said. "At the end of the parade there are popsicles for everyone and a speaker from the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Committee who will talk about the significance of our country's flag and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance."
The parade is free and all families are invited to participate. Although the parade kicks off at 10 a.m., plan to arrive at 9 a.m. to register and get set up.
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"This is my first year doing the parade, so it's something new for me," Tilson said. "I'm really excited. I think it'll be great to see the kids and their bikes all dressed up in red, white and blue."
