A beloved tradition, join us each July Fourth for a day of fun celebrating our country’s independence! Featuring an endearing small town walking parade and a patriotic concert by the Hanover Concert Band on our lawn. There old fashioned lawn games, a Patriotic Pet Contest, cold snow cones, hot dogs and hamburgers and of course our famous Apple Pie Baking Contest and Pie Auction all in the Center of the best little town in the Universe!
Schedule:
9:30-10:30-Apple Pie Baking Contest Drop Off
10:30-Parade Line Up at Henry Clay Elementary School
11:00-Parade Steps Off on Hanover Avenue and Ends at The Center
11:00-12:00-Apple Pie Judging
11:45- Presentation of Colors, Hanover Concert Band Patriotic Concert on the Lawn
12:00-Lawn Party-Food, Games, Patriotic Pet Contest Judging Begins
12:30-12:40-Pie Winners Announced, Pie Auction, Pet Winners Announced.
Brigades in our walking parade are one of the most charming aspect of our parade. Patriotic bikes and pets, Basset Hounds, The Cacophony of the Universe Marching Band, and of course the famous Lawn Chair Brigade are all staples of the day. Do you have a new idea for a brigade or would your organization like to be a part of our event? Submit a form at the link below so we can include you in our parade line-up!
*All brigades must have a patriotic theme: decorations, clothing, costumes, etc. No flags besides the United States flag are permitted. No politically themed brigade or campaigning is permitted. Thank you for your understanding. No profane brigades or handing out of materials (flyers, candy, stickers, etc.) will be allowed. All brigades are approved at the discretion of the board and any brigade not adhering to these parameters will be asked to refrain from participation.
Do you have the baking skills to be the best baker in the Center of the Universe? Get out those rolling pins and submit your very best pie to our All-American Apple Pie Baking Contest! Entries are to be dropped off between 9:30 and 10:30 on July 4th and will be judged during the parade. Registrations can be filled out ahead of time by clicking below and printing out the form. Or, you may fill out your form at The Center. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Most Patriotic, and Best Kid’s Pie (Under 11) with the award winners’ pies being auctioned off to benefit The Center. Please label your pie dishes if you would like for them to be returned.
Dress your pet up in their best red, white, and blue! Your leashed pets are welcome to walk with you in one of our animal brigades and you may enter them into our Patriotic Pet Contest just by walking up to our pet comfort station on our lawn starting at 11:30AM. The top three pets will win a prize! We welcome all kinds of pets so bring that favorite chicken or kitty cat with your canine best friend.
