Old-Fashioned 4th of July Parade returns to Midtown for its 33rd year

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Residents of the Midtown neighborhood look forward to the annual 4th of July parade every year.

Midtown is Springfield’s largest nationally recognized historic district, and the parade focuses on the area’s historic nature.

“The idea of the parade is to bring people back to the old-fashioned 4th of July,” said Jim Downing who helps with the parade. “You know, put down the telephone, put down the the TV remote and all of that and come out, enjoy the neighborhood, meet people.”

The parade was filled with floats, antique cars and an appearance from the Victorian Ladies Marching Drill Team. The celebration doesn’t stop there, the festivities continue with music, free ice cream, games for the kids, and food for purchase from DNA’s BBQ food truck.

People watching the parade say it’s a great opportunity for the neighborhood to come together, enjoy each other’s company and celebrate Independence Day.

“It’s a great way to interact with everybody,” Downing said. “And the parade is a way to show off the neighborhood, to bring people in from other parts of the Ozarks to see what it’s like to live in a historic neighborhood.”

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