The 122nd Glenside 4th of July Parade will feature acts by musical and entertainment groups from near and far, organizers say. They’ll march alongside police, fire, and emergency companies, community organizations, local businesses, and more on Friday afternoon.
This year’s parade will cover 1.3 miles through downtown Glenside beginning at 4:00pm. Traditionally 1.5 miles, the route has been cut slightly short due to operational considerations. On Wednesday, the Greater Glenside Patriotic Association made a judgment call: Instead of performers turning on Waverly Road and ending at Renninger Park at the parade’s conclusion, the route will end at Easton and Waverly roads.
“We made that adjustment out of safety precautions and to better contain the route so that residents and spectators in that area feel safe. We’re utilizing the proper protocols for safety and efficiency,” Jamey Piggott, president of the Greater Glenside Patriotic Association, said. “We want to make sure that our community is safe, and so many worked really hard to make sure that we’re protected.”
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.
Performances and Highlights
Performances include a mariachi band (Mariachi Rey Azteca), a Dixieland band, and Mad Beatz Drumline. The Bolivians are making a return and the Greater Kensington String Band is making its first appearance. Other noteworthy acts include the Bushwackers Drum Corps, the West Philadelphia Orchestra, the Red Hot Ramblers, the Ceol Neamh Pipe Band (Keel Nave), the Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps, the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Northwood High School Marching Band from North Carolina.
“We feel that we have the most musical parade in years, maybe ever,” Piggott said. “We’re thrilled about some new acts that we’ve discovered. We hope we’re going to give Glenside a top-notch entertainment experience.”
Bucks Bubbles’ foam machine will return with reindeer and Santa Claus, and Katie Katro, an Abington Senior High School graduate and a reporter for 6ABC Philadelphia, will ride as stilt master John Hadfield (pictured in the feature image) pleases the crowd from above.
The Glenside Fire Company was named this year’s Grand Marshal in honor of their 125th anniversary.
“The event actually started as a fireman’s parade, so we’re continuing the original legacy,” Piggott said, noting that Weldon Fire Company will host an honorary celebration, awards ceremony, and cookout on July 4 for all fire departments, EMS, and first responders who assisted with the SPS Technologies fire on February 17.
Highlights from the 121st Glenside 4th of July parade (more here):
Abington Township has provided road closures and parking restrictions:
“We want to thank everyone who donates to us because we get to give it right back to the community through all the July 4th activities, as well as Memorial Day and Veterans Day,” Piggot said.
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.
For updates and more information, you can visit the Glenside Parade’s Facebook page.
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Photos: GGPA