Ericca Latza to headline July 4 parade

A young woman from Mount Airy who is making a name for herself in country music has been selected as grand marshal for the upcoming Fourth of July Parade here.

Ericca Latza will fill that role when the annual procession rolls through the downtown area shortly after 11 a.m. on July 4.

Motorized units are scheduled to leave Veterans Memorial Park on West Lebanon Street at that time, with parade participants who are walking to join in from Truist Bank on North Main Street.

“We usually have at least 100,” Jennie Lowry of the sponsoring Downtown Business Association said Thursday regarding the entries involved.

The list includes colorful floats by local businesses, organizations and patriotic groups, along with classic cars, motorcycles, kiddie trains and more — highlighted by ample displays of red, white and blue in celebration of Independence Day.

Latza’s appearance as grand marshal is being hailed as special attraction of the holiday parade, as a singer/songwriter who has never forgotten her hometown while pursuing a musical career as a performer and writer.

“She’s moved full-time to Nashville now,” Lowry explained, as of 2019.

The float Latza will ride in the parade reportedly will include a video screen mounted onto it showing her performing the song “Like This Town” about the place where she was born and raised.

“This one is for my hometown — the place that let me grow, watched me leave and holds me a little place while I’m out there doing the big stuff,” she described in a website posting.

“I love y’all.”

The video contains scenes from local sites such as Leon’s Burger Express, Wally’s Service, a downtown cruise-in and others.

In addition to writing songs for others, the Mount Airy native released her own project in 2022 which features nine tracks inspired by growing up in North Carolina.

Latza’s last name might be familiar due to the achievements in his sport of her father Eric, a local martial arts expert.

Parade entries welcome

Lowry mentioned Thursday that applications are available for others wising to be part of the 2024 July 4 parade through the central business district.

Applications can be picked up downtown at the Toyland store and Mount Airy Visitors Center.