Celebrating the birth of our nation is one of America’s (and Marple Newtown’s!) favorite holidays, filled with traditional family picnics, barbecues and fireworks. Of course, the annual Marple Newtown Fourth of July parade has been a staple of our community for over 75 years. This year’s parade is extra special as the Fourth of July Parade Committee will celebrate 40 years of this beloved tradition.
Bringing together such a large event would not be possible without the volunteers who work tirelessly to organize it each year. Over the years, there have been many people who have contributed to the event. Back in the late 1940s, the Marple parade was sponsored by the Broomall Business Association. Then, in the mid-1950s, the townships joined forces through the Marple Newtown Jaycees (a leadership training organization).
The parade events grew to include a flag-raising ceremony, fire trucks, local and regional marching bands, floats and decorated bikes. Little Leaguers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and politicians rode by in convertibles. The events even continued at night, with live music, fireworks and speeches by visiting dignitaries.
By the mid-1980s, the Jaycees organization had dwindled to just a few members, and the parade was threatened with cancellation due to lack of organizers. It was thanks to local businesspeople and residents from Broomall and Newtown Square who came together in 1984 to breathe new life into the parade. Thanks to these dedicated members, it continues to be one of the largest parades in Delaware County.
Jan Ceton was one of the founding members of the committee and served as its chairman for decades. Since then the parade keeps growing and getting better. With the addition of a com- munity decorating contest and a quiet zone in the parade, they strive to have a celebration that everyone can enjoy. “The parade is a wonderful way of bringing our two communities together,” Jan remarked. “It has been a pleasure to serve on this committee from the very beginning. We couldn’t pull it off without the total support of both townships, the participants and the spectators.”
The Red, White and YOU! Contest that the committee started during the pandemic has become a fun way for residents and businesses to show off their patriotic spirit. Each year a caravan of judges tour the area and award prizes such as “Best Window,” “Most Patriotic” and “Most Spectacular.” The deadline to register for the decorating contest is June 29th with judging starting on June 30th.
The Marple Newtown Fourth of July Parade and Red, White and YOU! contest would not be possible without the parade committee members who spend much of the year fundraising and planning. To offset the cost of the parade, the committee relies on donations from the bucket brigade, as well as fundraisers and t-shirt sales. Long-time Vice Chairman Rich Crowe works with member Leigh Ann Coary on the advertising for the 4th of July commemorative book that is distributed to over 4,000 residents and businesses. Local businesses, civic organizations, clubs and individuals have the opportunity to place an ad to show their community support.“This fabulous parade is funded entirely by the families and businesses in our community,” Leigh Ann explained.
This year’s parade takes place on Thursday, July 4th. It begins at St. Albans Circle and continues eastbound on West Chester Pike to the Broomall Fire Company’s facility on Malin Rd. In honor of leading the Fourth of July committee for the past four decades, Jan Ceton and Rich Crowe will kick off the parade as Grand Marshals.
Spectators will be entertained by favorites like Mersey-British Rock Invasion, the Eagles Pep Band, the Marching Cobras and the Skyliner Drum and Bugle Corps. Local marching bands, fire companies and first responders will also join in the fun. Prepare to be impressed by local businesses, community clubs and neigh- borhood residents with their decorated floats, marching groups and costumed individuals. For individuals sensitive to loud sounds, there will be a quiet zone, where sirens and blowing air sounds are prohibited, that will stretch a short distance from Evergreen Ave to Ann Road along West Chester Pike.
The parade ends with an awards ceremony, where medals and trophies are given to the top three entries in each division, and their names and photos are featured in the following year’s commemorative book.
For more info. visit MarpleNewtownParade.com and like their Facebook page @MarpleNewtownFourthOfJulyParade. Register for the Parade online from June 3rd – 27th. After the 27th, register in person at the MN Recreation Office from June 3rd through July 3rd. Day of Parade registration is from 8:30 to 9:30am at St. Albans Circle in Newtown Square. Bikes, Strollers/Wagons and Hand Drawns register on the day of the parade at St. Anastasia from 9-9:30am.