I grew up in a small college town in the 1980’s, when Fourth of July parades were a chance for everyone to gather for a shared purpose: to celebrate being Americans.
Construction workers, philosophy professors, the high school football coach, the Catholic priest, and the Episcopal minister all lined Main Street to enjoy amateur bands and applaud decked-out Vietnam vets. While parents chatted on the sidewalks, kids roamed free on bikes and skateboards (or lined up in the hot sun in their scouting uniforms to wait their turn to shine).
The world has changed since then (more rapidly than any of us anticipated). But even in our age of screens and social media,, small-town parades remain one of the purest expressions of what makes America great: neighbors standing shoulder to shoulder, children waving flags, brass bands playing “Hail to the Chief,” and veterans tipping their hats to a grateful crowd.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, there’s no better time to lean into our grassroots traditions, rooted in community, family, and love of country. And there’s no better place to do it than your local Fourth of July parade.
Here’s the best of America’s small town parades… and how to make the most of yours.
The best small-town 4th of July parades in every region
Across the country, small towns show up in big ways for Independence Day. If you’ve never been outside the city for the Fourth, consider spending the big day in one of these small towns. (You might even take them as a model for starting your own small town parade next year!)
Seward, Nebraska (Midwest)
Nicknamed “America’s Official Fourth of July City,” Seward pulls out all the stops. Expect cannon blasts, flag ceremonies, high school marching bands, and a parade that feels like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life.Gatlinburg, Tennessee (South)
Hosting the nation’s first parade at 12:01 a.m. on the 4th, Gatlinburg’s celebration is steeped in Appalachian pride. Locals line up hours early to cheer for dancers, veterans, and festooned floats in the midnight mountain air.Bristol, Rhode Island (Northeast)
This town has held a Fourth of July celebration every single year since 1785. Their patriotic zeal is legendary: even the town’s street lines are painted red, white, and blue.Prescott, Arizona (West)
“Everybody’s Hometown” puts on a classic frontier-style parade alongside its world-famous rodeo. Flags wave from horses, fire trucks, and cowboys in one of the most American events you’ll ever see.Poulsbo, Washington (Pacific Northwest)
Nestled on Liberty Bay, this Norwegian-rooted town adds charm and cheer with a kids’ parade, pie-eating contests, and fireworks over the water. It’s Americana with a maritime twist.
How to celebrate your hometown parade like a patriot
You don’t need to travel across the country to experience the best of American tradition—just show up in your own town with heart, hospitality, and a little planning.
What to wear
Men and women: Keep it timeless. Think denim jeans or shorts, cotton button-downs or sundresses in red, white, and blue. Add a straw hat, sunglasses, or a vintage flag pin for flair.
Kids: Let them have fun with flag shirts, patriotic face paint, and hair ribbons. Matching sibling outfits? Even better.
What to pack
Food & drink:
Red-white-and-blue fruit skewers (strawberries, bananas, blueberries)
Deviled eggs, mini sandwiches, and classic potato salad in mason jars
Sweet tea, lemonade, or root beer in a cooler
A thermos of coffee if you’re claiming your spot early
Gear:
Folding chairs, picnic blankets, handheld fans, sunscreen
A first-aid kit, paper towels, and a trash bag for clean-up
Don’t forget your American flag to wave!
Who to invite
Family and grandparents: Let older generations share stories of parades past.
Neighbors and friends: Use the occasion to deepen local ties—invite someone new to join you.
Church or community groups: Coordinate a post-parade picnic or wear matching shirts to show unity.
Make it meaningful
The best part of small town parades isn’t just the bunting or the baton twirlers—it’s the meaning behind it all. Take a moment to reflect and reconnect.
Read the Declaration of Independence aloud at breakfast or before heading out.
Volunteer to walk in the parade, set up folding chairs, or serve at a booth.
Pray for the country—its future, its families, its freedom. This nation needs hope more than ever.
Teach your children not just to wave the flag, but to understand what it stands for.
One parade can change a town
When you show up to your local parade, you’re doing more than clapping for a marching band. You’re investing in your town, honoring your country, and modeling something better for the next generation.
As America turns 250, let’s remember where her heart beats strongest—not in the headlines or on a screen, but right down the center of Main Street, under a canopy of flags, in the joy of a free people gathered to give thanks.