Where to Wave Your Flag this Fourth of Julyby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 30 Jun 2008 04:40 PM Nothing says Fourth of July quite like a patriotic holiday parade. If you are hitting the highway to enjoy a family vacation this weekend you might consider stopping in one of the following cities to take in the sights and sounds of some of our nation's most festive Independence Day parades. Grab the kids, a few lawn chairs and your miniature-sized flags and watch as Old Glory marches down Main Street. WISCONSIN--Racine Fourth Fest Parade It's billed as the largest Fourth of July parade in the Midwest and it takes place in tiny Racine, Wisconsin, which is nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Chicago. The 71-year-old parade began as a collaborative effort between corporations and labor unions to set aside "one day of peace" between workers and management. In the decades since, the extremely family-friendly parade has exploded to include nearly 200 units from clowns and jugglers to floats, bands, fire trucks, antique cars, and dignitaries. MISSOURI--St. Louis Veiled Prophet Parade The "Gateway City" is home to an Independence Day parade that was inspired by the book Lalla Rookh by Irish poet Thomas Moore. The Veiled Prophet Parade is celebrating its 131st birthday this year and organizers say that, despite the recent Midwest floods, the parade will go on as planned. The procession is a major event in St. Louis and canceling it was out of the question, according to city leaders. If you are in town on the 4th you can look forward to seeing elaborate floats, giant balloons, bands, military units and local sports celebrities marching down city streets. TENNESSEE--Gatlinburg Midnight Independence Day Parade The truly patriotic among us will be lining the streets of Gatlinburg in the dark of night so they can be among the first to celebrate Independence Day. Gatlinburg's annual parade kicks off at precisely 12 a.m. on July 4th. It is brightly lit and causes quite a spectacle as it weaves its way downtown in the dark of night. The idea for the parade came in 1976 when organizers were trying to come up with a unique way to commemorate America's bicentennial. The midnight parade was such a hit that the timing of the parade has not changed since. The event draws an estimated 100,000 spectators to Gatlinburg, gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Related Articles: Fourth of July Travel--Everyone Loves a Parade Affordable Fourth of July Travel Deals More Affordable Fourth of July Family Getaways Affordable Fourth of July Family Getaways Saving Money While Celebrating the Fourth with Family on the Road Family-Friendly Summer Travel Bargains More Incredible Summer Airfare Bargains Sizzling Summer Airfare Bargains Saving on Summer Travel--More Southern Bargains Summer Travel: Saving Money Down South Where to Get an Affordable Summer Tan Summer Travel 2008-Gas Tank Getaways Part 2 Summer Travel 2008--Gas Tank Getaways Summer Travel: Unique Ways to Save Money on Gas Saving on Summer Travel-It is Possible Part 2 Saving on Summer Travel--It is Possible Cash Strapped? Check Out These California Travel Packages Kid-Friendly Hotels Getting Friendlier Fueling Your Summer Vacation with Gas Savers Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags Fourth of July, family travel, parade, Wisconsin Discuss this article
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