Arlington gets ready for 60th annual Independence Day Parade

ARLINGTON (1080 KRLD)- Arlington will host its annual Independence Day Parade Thursday morning. This marks the parade's 60th year.

"As I go up and down the route every year, I see people who have sat in the same spot 20, 30, 40 years, for generations," says the parade's Will Busby. "What I love about this parade is it brings the community together unlike any other event ever could."

The parade starts at 9 a.m. and runs through Downtown and around UT-Arlington. The route, parking options, and a list of events are available at https://arlington4th.org/ .

This year's theme is "Home Run for Heroes" and will honor the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers and the National Medal of Honor Museum, which is expected to open in Arlington's Entertainment District in March 2025.

"We honor those who have served, those who have laid it all on the line to protect our country and give us the liberties we celebrate on Independence Day," Busby says.

Hall of Fame Pitcher Fergie Jenkins will serve as grand marshal.

"We are really excited about that," Busby says. "Come on, baseball and America
on the same day."

Busby says the parade draws 40,000 people each year. The Texas Festivals and Events Association named Arlington the best parade of its size in the state last year.

"We're going to be ready to celebrate our nation, our city, all that unites us," Busby says. "It's a phenomenal experience, and there's nothing like it this side of heaven."

The parade starts at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Events start with the Firecracker 5K at 7 a.m.

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