July 4th Parade Activities Scheduled

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The event, which is sponsored by the Canton Main Street, the city of Canton and the chamber of commerce includes activities on the square beginning with the parade, followed by events on the square, fireworks on the First Monday grounds and a concert at the Todd Berry Building at 9:30 p.m.

Lineup for the parade will begin at 9 a.m., at First Baptist Church with the parade starting at 10 a.m.

All active duty and retired or former military personnel in Van Zandt County are invited to take part in the parade. Also, all county youth are invited to decorate their bicycles and ride them in the parade.

The parade will also feature numerous floats, antique cars, motorcycle groups. Scouts, civic groups, political candidates, tow trucks, the pet parade, local beauty queens, mounted and walking units, fire trucks and more.

Immediately following the parade, Van Zandt County Judge Rhita Koches will be in charge of the patriotic ceremony on the side of the courthouse facing Buffalo Street.

All active duty military personnel are invited to participate in the ceremony, "A Salute to the Men & Women of the Armed Forces of the United States of America."

All civic groups, organizations and political parties are invited to have booths on the square at no charge.

Booth space assignments will be announced at 7 a.m. on July 4.

For more information contact Karen Hendricks at (903) 567-4680.

There will also be a fireworks display at the First Monday grounds off Farm-to-Market 859, at the West Gate, at dusk sponsored by the city of Canton. The gate will be closed at 8:45 p.m. and fireworks will start at 9 p.m.

Entry forms for the parade may be picked up at city hall or at the chamber of commerce.

The concert immediately following the parade will include Bob Mauldin, C.J. White, and Cheyane Smith. Tickets to the concert are $20 each. For more information call (903) 567-5566.