Moorestown’s 2024 4th of July parade committee. “I had no idea when I sat on the curb as a little kid (that) somebody had to put it all together,” said Dave Schill, committee president.
The township’s annual 4th of July parade will start at noon on Friday, but attendees are encouraged to arrive at Chester Avenue by 11:30 a.m.
There is no rain date for weather-related issues. The parade travels down Central and Chester Avenues to Main Street to Church. The first two blocks of the route – Chester Avenue from Central to Main Street – will be a quiet zone for those with sensory issues, hearing aids, pets, young children and PTSD. Fire trucks will not blare sirens or honk horns, and the bands will play at half-volume. Once the parade turns on Main Street, it will go in full volume.
This year’s event is expected to include antique cars and trucks, civic and community groups, the South Philadelphia String Band, the Polish American String Band, fire trucks, ambulances, horses, floats and bikes. The top three winners from the committee’s poster contest will also ride in the parade and all qualifying entries will be displayed at the Moorestown library.
“I had no idea when I sat on the curb as a little kid (that) somebody had to put it all together,” acknowledged Dave Schill, parade committee president. “If we don’t celebrate our freedom, shame on us … It’s taken a lot of blood to keep us free, so we should celebrate that.”
The parade celebrates pride and freedom through a non-partisan celebration of community. This year’s theme is Let Freedom Ring. It’s different – Schill said – in the sense that it’s a concept for kids to think about versus something they can see, such as the Statue of Liberty.
“They have to think about it, and now it’s important and it means something …” he added. “It’s more of a concept rather than the Liberty Bell – that’s an item – so it’s easier to draw a poster based on something that you can see. A concept is a little harder to draw.”
All civic and community groups are welcome to march in the parade for free and are encouraged to register ahead of time. The lineup is pre-planned, and the staging area is orchestrated into four quadrants. The parade is made possible by donations from residents and businessea and the committee of volunteers. New volunteers are always welcome.
For more information on registration, volunteer opportunities or to donate, visit www.moorestown4thjuly.org.
