4th of July Neighborhood Parade Idea

Reposted with permission from Family Life Local, a Cru ministry. 

Now is the perfect time to meet your neighbors! Why not plan a neighborhood 4th of July Parade? We know, this is a big step for some of you, but others of you are totally ready. So, let's do this!

Here is our How-To Guide for a great neighborhood 4th of July parade:

1. Ask someone to join you in planning it - we always recommend grabbing at least one other neighbor to join you in whatever you are planning. Not only will a friend help shoulder the load, but what better way to deepen a neighbor connection than working together on a project?
2. Pick a day/time - this doesn't have to happen on the actual holiday. In fact this year, 4th of July happens on a Monday, so you have your pick of Friday evening all the way until Monday. Find a time that will work best for the group who is planning it. 
3. Decide on a path through your neighborhood - pick a street section that is flat and not busy with car traffic. The parade route should only be about a block long. Little legs can only peddle so far!
4. Check with your HOA &/or city about any permits or notifications you may need to post.
5. Ask for permission from the neighbors along the parade route to ensure the route will not conflict with any of their plans. Let them know that the parade will only last about 30 minutes and then their street will be free again.
6. Make up a flyer to distribute door-to-door in the neighborhood as well as post on your neighborhood's social media group - not everyone is engaging with the social media platform for your neighborhood. So, it's best to go old-school as well as new-school to be sure everyone is included. For an example, click here.
7. Invite people to decorate golf carts, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or strollers festively! Anything with wheels will do. Tonya's boys even decorated their remote control vehicles one year!
8. Plus it up! Invite your local fire department to lead the procession and make their truck available at the end for kids to see the truck.
9. Have cold water bottles and a treat at the end of the parade route for everyone. Perhaps invite an ice cream truck or snow cone truck to come. 

The first step toward being on mission in your neighborhood is meeting neighbors and starting new friendships. Independence Day is an ideal opportunity that is culturally acceptable and not considered weird. This event will get entire families out of their houses for an hour or so, as well as create some wonderful family memories as they decorate their "floats" for the big day.

Serving you for families in your neighborhood,
Margie Thompson & Tonya Devine

Isn’t this a great idea? Let us know if you have any questions and please share with us if God is leading you to try this. We want to be praying for you!

We'd love to hear how God is working in your heart and through you as you are learning to love your neighbor. What has been hard? What went better than you expected? Where do you see God at work? From the trivial to the significant, we'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..