The 123rd Glenside 4th of July Parade will feature acts by musical and entertainment groups from 12 states and four to five countries (Puerto Rico, Germany, Italy, England, and potentially Guatemala).

The route will cover 1.3 miles through downtown Glenside beginning at 4:00pm on Saturday, July 4. 

A “typical” Glenside 4th of July Parade features roughly 50 performances. According to Jamey Piggott, president of the Greater Glenside Patriotic Association, this year will bring closer to 85, including 150-piece outfits from Michigan and Alabama, 150 dancing Bolivians, and 200 performers with The Second Time Arounders of Florida.

“We have some top-notch acts coming to tiny little Glenside. I’m proud of our reputation that people want to come here and be part of the day. That’s why we fundraise. We’re a nonprofit. In order to have a great show, we depend on donor dollars, and we’re conscious of that,” Piggott said. “We went over and beyond this year for the 250th. Bill Hall would have made it big and spectacular, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Additional performances will include the Voloshky School of Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, the Azalea Trail Maids, and the Fralinger String Band.

A few highlights from 2025’s parade (videos and photos from past parades can be found here):

The national anthem will be played at four locations along the route prior to the parade’s start. New this year will be guest host Q102 at the reviewing stand at St. Luke the Evangelist.

“They’re going to be the emcees and enhance the stand as a host. That’s going to be a good hot spot,” Piggott said.

The North Penn VFW in Glenside was named this year’s Grand Marshal in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. They will host a Post Parade Party with live music after the parade’s conclusion (more details here).

“We’re a little more military-esque this year. We wanted to give a nod to the people who fought for our country, and they do so much for our community in general,” Piggott said. “We appreciate the North Penn VFW and it’s a huge honor to have them as our Grand Marshal for the 250th. It was a natural fit.”

Extracurriculars will again include a Children’s Morning Program at Renninger Memorial Park at 10:00am followed by an “America the Beautiful Aerial Fireworks Spectacular” held at Abington Junior and Senior High Schools after dark.

The Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division (ID) Band will be performing at Abington Senior High School at 8:00pm ahead of the fireworks.

“They’re going to perform for about an hour. It’s an exciting way to commemorate the day,” Piggott said.

Abington Township has provided road closures and parking restrictions:

“We’re so grateful for Cheltenham and Abington’s public works and police for all that they do. They put in an incredible amount of work to make sure the parade goes off without a hitch,” Piggott said. “They make sure we’re safe.”

To donate to the Greater Glenside Patriotic Association, which is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, you can visit glensideparade.com or mail a check to Greater Glenside Patriotic Association, P.O. Box 72, Glenside, PA 19038.

This year’s sponsors can be found here and below:

For updates and more information, you can visit the Glenside Parade’s Facebook page.

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Photos: GGPA