Fourth of July Parade Deadline Today

If you're planning to participate in this year's Brandon Fourth of July Parade, you'd better hurry.

Today's the deadline for submitting applications to participate in this year's parade to take place July 4 starting at 10 a.m. at the corner of Lumsden Road and Parsons Avenue.

According to Marie Cain, parade chairwoman, bands, marching units, floats, singing groups and classic cars are all welcome in the parade lineup.

The parade returns to the 2009 route and time, which begins at Lumsden Road and Parsons Avenue, proceeding north on Parsons Avenue to Robertson Street where the parade will turn left and continue along Robertson Street, disbanding at the Burlington Coat Factory/Publix mall.

The theme this year is "Community Pride."

This year, nothing may be thrown from vehicles or floats. Instead, parade participants are encouraged to hand out beads and candy to spectators at the curb.

"This is the largest Independence Day Parade in Florida with over 100 entries and more than 30,000 spectators," said Cain. "We're offering groups an opportunity to be a part of this hometown event by entertaining the local residents who make this a family tradition." 

As always, said Cain, veterans' groups are invited to participate at no fee.  Applications received between Saturday, June 4, and Friday, June 10, will be charged a late fee which is double the usual $75 entry fee.

A mandatory meeting for representatives of all parade participants is scheduled for Tuesday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Center Place.

For parade applications, visit the roundtable's Website at http://www.brandonroundtable.com/ or call Cain at 813-661-4350.