‘Grander than ever’: Summerlin Fourth of July parade announced

Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to line the Fourth of July parade route in Summerlin this year after two years of pandemic-related restrictions.

The event will be back at full scale and “grander than ever,” the Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade announced Tuesday. The Summerlin Council is the nonprofit arm of the Summerlin Community Master Association, which has organized the parade for nearly three decades.

“We’re very excited to be back in full swing,” council member Tommy Porrello said.

The 2020 edition was held virtually, and last year was a limited in-person version because of COVID-19 restrictions being loosened too late for full planning, Porrello said.

This year’s event will feature more than 70 entries, including 25 “giant” inflatable balloons, organizers said.

The floats will present their share of patriotic themes and will include “colorful” popular culture references, and plenty of music, to please residents of all ages, Porrello said. Some floats will be themed after Las Vegas’ pro sports teams, including the Raiders, Golden Knights, Aces and Aviators.

“The parade is just synonymous with family,” Porrello said. “And that my entire family — four generations — can come out and enjoy the parade, it has something for everyone.”

Planning for the yearly parade begins in late fall, and many community groups participate throughout that time, said Porrello, who has helped with the parade for 15 years.

Attending the parade is a fun way to start the holiday, he said.

“I’ts not just about barbecues and fireworks,” Porrello said. “That parade seems to really put the whole day and the importance of Independence Day in focus for us.”

The two-hour parade, which is slated to begin at 9 a.m. July 4, is expected to draw more than 50,000 attendees, organizers said.

The procession will start at the corner of Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive. The route goes south toward Village Center Circle, then west on Trailwood Drive before ending at Spring Gate Lane.

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @rickytwrites.