CHAPPELL HILL PREPARING FOR FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
The Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to celebrate the 46th anniversary of its annual Independence Day parade.
The “Biggest Small Town Parade” in Texas, happening on Tuesday, July 4th at 10 a.m., will have a theme of “A Star Spangled Spectacular Independence Day Parade.”
The Grand Marshal for the parade will be Brenham VFW Post 7104 Commander Ben Seeker, escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders. Seeker, who served in the Army in Vietnam, began a Veterans Day program while principal at Brenham Middle School and was instrumental in the dedication of the Veterans Plaza and F-111 in Brenham parks. All veterans are invited to ride on the designated Veterans Floats, sponsored by Chappell Hill Bank and Brenham National Bank.
The parade will once again have an official parade gunner that will help start the parade by firing Roger and Paula Imm’s Kingfisher Cannon, a 5.5-inch smooth bore 12 pounder. Bidding to become the official gunner is underway, and anyone interested in bidding can reach out to the Chamber via phone at 979-337-9910, email at info@chappellhilltx.com, or its Facebook page.
Back by popular demand is the World Famous Marching Kazoo Band, which now has grandchildren of some of the original kazoo band members. Children of all ages are invited to join the band as they march through the parade playing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” with their kazoos. Parents can march with their children, and each child will receive a complimentary t-shirt. Pre-registration is encouraged, and check-in will be at the Rock Store in downtown Chappell Hill.
Over $850 in parade prize money will be awarded in different categories, including a new $100 prize for Best Classic Car. Parade judges will be Brenham Mayor Atwood Kenjura, Carrina Ramirez Dabdub with The Carrina Show and Brenham Banner-Press Publisher Jeffrey Parra.
Rob Moorman & Company will provide pre- and post-parade entertainment, sponsored by Childress Ranch Estates, on the DLS Interiors front porch. Visitors can enjoy live music along with shopping, dining and face painting before and after the parade.
The parade has been featured on the PBS show “Globe Trekkers”, highlighted in the Houston Chronicle, and was recently hosted by Tumbleweed Smith on “The Sound of Texas”.
Parking is free and will be available at the Main Street parking lot by the Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
All entry forms and additional parade information can be found on the Chamber’s website, www.chappellhilltx.com. All parade and kazoo band entries are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 30th.