By Anna Skinner
The more than 100-unit CarmelFest 4th of July Parade will bring with it beloved traditions, as well as a few changes.
Peggy Powell, CarmelFest Parade director, said there will be a wide variety of floats included in the parade this year, such as the Indianapolis Chinese Community’s Lion Dance and the Carmel Rotary Club’s 10-person bicycle.
Other unit entries include marching bands, motorcycle drill teams, clowns, color guards, Colt’s cheerleaders, designed floats, veterans and more.
The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. July 4 at AAA Way and Carmel Drive and will head west on Carmel Drive and north on Range Line Road. The parade will end at Carmel High School on Main Street at 12:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Indiana’s Bicentennial.”
“Our grand marshals this year are the CHS girls swimming and diving championship team, because they just completed their 30th (consecutive) state championship which broke a national record,” Powell said.
In addition to the 2016 state winners, CarmelFest is attempting to locate as many past swimmers from 1986 to 2016 to march in the parade as well.
A military grand finale will take place at 12:15 p.m. Roads will reopen as the parade passes, and Powell said she believes that all roads will be closed by 10 a.m.
“It’s a great way to come out and celebrate our country’s birthday, and we are also celebrating the bicentennial of the state of Indiana,” she said. “It’s a wonderful way to come out and have a good time and show your patriotism.”
For more, visit carmelfest.net/parade-information.
