The Crusader Newspaper Group

Crowds line the streets for the annual 4th of July Parade

By Louise Scott, Gary Crusader

There was an array of floats, entertainers, motorcycles, and dignitaries traveling down Broadway on Saturday in the annual Fourth of July Parade. Hundreds of spectators lined the streets to celebrate and be entertained in what is also a competition to be named the Overall Best entry in the parade.

It was a perfect 80-degree day with clear skies as far as you could see in Gary. Crowds of young and old perched themselves in seemingly good spots along Broadway to catch a glimpse of the 57 entries as they passed by. Those who attended the parade lined downtown Broadway beginning at 15th & Broadway all the way to 6th & Connecticut Street where the parade ended.

The procession included walking units, floats, vehicles, dancers, clowns, musical bands, elected officials, a drum and bugle core and various other entertainment. Depending on where you were seated, you may have enjoyed an extra well-coordinated performance with spectacular flips, spins and steps made in front of the judges’ booth.

There were five judges that based voting on the performer’s originality, decor and uniformity. This would make them eligible to win an Overall Best Trophy, or a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Place Trophy. The judges for the parade were Chicago and Gary Crusader Newspaper Publisher Dorothy Leavell, Leslie Leslie from Haywood & Fleming Associates, Irene King from The Scott King Group, Gary Pastor Chet Johnson, and Christopher Thomas, a student at Kentucky State University who is currently a summer intern for the City of Gary’s Communications Department.

The mayor’s Director of Communication LaLosa Burns said the winners would be announced late in July after the votes have been tallied.

 

 

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