‘Very uniting’: Summerlin’s Patriotic Parade full of color — PHOTOS
Patriotic colors, tents, balloons, flags and smiles were everywhere at the 29th annual Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade on Tuesday.
Parade organizers had estimated the festivities could draw more than 50,000 spectators, not only from the Summerlin community but from throughout the Las Vegas Valley for a morning of patriotic and spirited celebrations of “America’s Birthday.”
Col. Brian T. Hobbins and Lt. Col. Laurel Hobbins (Ret.) served as parade grand marshals.
Leading off the event was the escort division, which began with a chorus of rumbling engines as the Model A Ford Club and the Las Vegas Cadillac Club rolled down the route, with participants waving to the crowd, along with appearances from firefighters, Palo Verde High School’s JROTC and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman.
The patriotic parade kicked off with a special appearance by Gov. Joe Lombardo, who tooled along the route in a bright blue convertible, followed by a larger-than-life balloon of the “Grand Old Flag” and a huge American Eagle balloon.
The parade route began at Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive, traveled south on Hills Center to Village Center Circle, then turned west onto Trailwood Drive, concluding at the Trails Village Shopping Center.
The crowd’s excitement grew as the Golden Knights float wended its way along the route. Chants of “Go Knights Go” rang out among the rows of tents and folding chairs. The Golden Knight took part along with Knights defenseman Zack Whitecloud, with both giving out high-fives and fist-bumps to spectators.
‘Incredibly special’
For many repeat paradegoers, the event has become a Fourth of July tradition.
“The parade just brings such a sense of community,” Kristen Yeager said. “It’s very uniting and great to see everyone come together like this.”
The Summerlin Parade, organized by the Summerlin Council, began in 1995 with what the official parade website describes as “humble beginnings,” but the parade has since grown into a generational event for some families.
“I grew up here so I’ve been coming to the parade since I was a kid,” resident Brandi Stanford said. “So to now be able to bring my own kids here is incredibly special to me.”
With all the floats, balloons, singing and performances, another parade attendee remarked that the “American spirit” was on full display.
Plenty of children were at the parade, and they were excited as vibrant floats with characters such as Bluey, Indiana Jones, Peppa Pig, Disney princesses, Barbie and Star Wars came down the route.
“I just love how it is a fun, family-friendly event for everyone,” Aly Losk said. “It makes it enjoyable for me as an adult watching the kids have a good time.”
Contact Kiara Adams at kadams@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-0399. Follow @kiadams101 on Twitter.
