The annual 4th of July Parade is arguably the best and largest single day event in the Park Cities. The 2018 Fourth of July parade took place on Wednesday, July 4th, 2018 and attracted a crowd of more than 15,000 people.
Long time Park Cities resident and restaurateur Karl Kuby served as this year's Grand Marshal. Other dignitaries included Congressman Pete Sessions, State Senator Don Huffines, State Representative Morgan Meyer, Judge Clay Jenkins, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson, Highland Park Mayor Joel T. Williams III, University Park Mayor Olin Lane Jr., and Rotary District 5810 Governor and Rotary Club of Park Cities Member Rick Amsberry.Participants lining up around 7:30 a.m. for the parade, which started at 9am on Euclid Avenue near the Highland Park Town Hall. There was also a family bicycle judging contest that began at 8 a.m. at the Park Cities YMCA. The ended at Goar Park and culminated with a free patriotic family festival featuring music, food, and plenty of entertainment for children of all ages. The Goar Park festivities started around 9:30 a.m., and there was no admission charge.
We also live streamed the parade for the first time to our club Facebook page, and even had a member watch while on vacation in Italy! The video has since been viewed over 500 times, allowing for even more exposure for our club, sponsors, and community partners.
Thousands of families joined the Rotary Club of Park Cities to honor America and celebrate our community, and it was a tremendous opportunity to showcase Rotary and our motto of Service Above Self!
In addition to the community parade of the day, the club uses this opportunity to raise money for one of its collaborative partners, the North Texas Food Bank. The Park Cities club is fortunate to have it own Foundation and in partnership with US Trust, The Hal and Diane Brierley Foundation, RCPC club members and a matching contribution from the David M. Crowley Foundation achieved a total fundraising amount of over $60,000 for the North Texas Food Bank. This donation will assist the North Texas Food Bank to provide over 180,000 meals that will help serve those in need at locations throughout the Greater Dallas area.