THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR 2020 AND 2021. See you in 2022!
On the Fourth of July, sleepy little South Norfolk awakes to a buzz of activity with folks and super heroes alike, getting ready for the borough’s annual festivities. Here’s a brief rundown:
HOME DECORATING CONTEST
The fun begins July 3rd with the Home Decorating Contest. Folks along the parade route and within the historic district who decorate their homes by 2 p.m. July 3 for the Fourth of July will be considered to win one of several prize baskets. Winners are selected by a special committee and announced in the park after the parade on Independence Day.
Click to enlarge. Parade Route is in blue. Detour streets to remain open are in green. Click image to enlarge. Residents along the blue route and most of the green route will have to remove cars from the street by early Tuesday, July 4.
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
The Fourth of July Parade will begin at 1101 Chesapeake Avenue at 10 a.m. July 4.
Visitors are urged to arrive and park before the roads close at 9 a.m. The parade, which typically features 75-100 units, usually lasts about an hour.
The parade route is Chesapeake Avenue to Chesapeake Drive; Chesapeake Drive to Orville Ave.; Orville Avenue to Bainbridge Boulevard; Bainbridge Boulevard to Holly; and Holly to the entrance of Lakeside Park.
As a special treat, watch for some Super Heros in the group. We are always hopeful that the Oscar Smith High School Marching Band will make another rare summer appearance in the 2020 parade.
PICNIC IN THE PARK
After the parade (about 11 a.m.), there will be a short opening ceremony in the park. The national anthem will be sung and then attendees will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dignitaries will be recognized, scholarships will be awarded and home decorating contest winners will be announced.
When all the formalities are complete, the entertainment will take the stage for a few sets of rock-n-roll, honky-tonk, country and top 40 songs.
Food and drinks will be available and plentiful at crowd-pleasing prices from the event vendors, or, if you absolutely must, you can bring your own food, however alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Well-behaved dogs are allowed on 5-foot leashes, attached to at least one responsible human who must clean up after them.
Food Vendors
Food vendors will vary and will be announced here when the date is closer
Stuff to do
First, you’ll want to keep a sharp eye peeled for a glimpse of Super Heroes, who have been know to roam the park after the parade. Other activities typically include Ident-a-kid, a balloon artist, a magician, face painters, and the teeny tiny farm petting zoo. There will be a 50-50 raffle and t-shirt sales from the civic league, and drawings for bikes from Creekmore Hardware. If the lake is clear of algae, there will be paddleboats available to rent for a small fee.
Craft Vendors
If art and shopping is your heart’s desire, you will enjoy craft tents featuring as many local and regional artists we can entice to join us.
Handicapped Parking
There is handicapped parking outside the east side to the park, on the south side of the school.
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The event is scheduled to last until 3 p.m. For more information, email southnorfolkcivicleague@gmail.com.
Sponsors
Sponsors are being sought for this event. Sponsorships are available from $25 for hand fan sponsorships to $1000 for scholarship sponsorships. For more information, please visit the South Norfolk Civic League’s Website.
Sponsors are included in promotions, on the hand fans, on the park sign and on this website and the South Norfolk Civic League’s Website.
Event organizers urge everyone to patronize the sponsors who make this event possible.
