Get ready to turn your child’s wagon into a patriotic cart.
Prepare to transform their bicycle into a red, white and blue billboard.
With the Fourth of July countdown entering single digits, now is the time to start creating your entry in the Yankee Doodle Children’s Parade. This free event has become a charming cornerstone of downtown Fourth of July activities with an earlier start time this year of 9:30 a.m.
“It’s an exciting and very adorable way to start the day,” said organizer and Junior Auxiliary member Amanda Collier. “Children from birth to fifth grade are encouraged to deck out their bikes, trikes, wagons and strollers, with help from mom and dad if needed, in red, white, and blue and parade around the courthouse square.”
The parade gives children a chance to showcase their creativity, much to the delight of parents and grandparents who can cherish the great photo opportunities as they make their way around the square.
To inject a dose of Americana into the air, The Sound Machine will amplify a selection of patriotic tunes for your listening pleasure.
Prizes will be awarded to winners in each age division.
You can pre-register before the event by picking up forms at various businesses around town, including Southern Standard, Magness Library, and the Civic Center. You can register the day of the event beginning at 9 a.m.
So put on your best thinking outfit and start planning ways to decorate every inch of your child’s motorized car.
Fourth of July Schedules
McMinnville
Tuesday, July 4
6 to 10 a.m. Breakfast downtown provided by First United Methodist Church, $6 adult, $4 child
6:30 a.m. Fun run registration
7:30 a.m. Fun run begins
8 a.m. Heritage Alliance Museum opens, Park Theater opens for tours
9 a.m. Patriotic salute, presentation of colors, national anthem, Silver and Gold Band
9:30 a.m. Yankee Doodle Children’s Parade
10 a.m. WCHS Pioneerettes
10:15 a.m. WCMS dance team
10:30 a.m. Paula’s Dance Academy
10:45 a.m. WCHS color guard
11 a.m. Free move at Park Theater, “Jaws”
9 p.m. Fireworks at McMinnville Civic Center
Gilley Pool will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Morrison
Tuesday, July 4
2 p.m. Baby pageant registration
2:45 p.m. Opening ceremonies
3 p.m. Baby pageant
4 p.m. Bingo, outdoor games
5 p.m. Cornhole tournament
6 p.m. Cake walk
7 p.m. Live music from Midnite Toast
9 p.m. Fireworks
Concessions will be served from 3 to 8 p.m.
