Park Hill 4th of July Parade Draws Thousands
Highlights Include Vegans, Low-Riders, The Mayor
By Justin Bresler
What were you doing on July 4th?
With more than 4,000 people in attendance, there’s a good chance you were at the Park Hill parade. This year’s event – the fifth annual affair and largest to date – thrilled crowds that came from around the neighborhood and across the city for this festive and family friendly event.
Independence Day in Denver has always been a holiday filled with tradition, and Park Hill families have come to include the GPHC Park Hill 4th of July Parade in their list of “must-do” activities along with barbecues and fireworks, lining 23rd Avenue from Dexter to Krameria streets with chairs and blankets, bikes and strollers, ready to cheer for their favorite entry, dash for some candy and generally get in a patriotic mood watching the nearly 60 entries and 700 participants.
The parade has turned into a raucous event, with a crazy combination of traditional types of entries, like floats and school groups, paired alongside a group of 100 vegans and low riders carrying pageant queens. Anything can – and usually does – happen at this most colorful of parades.
Did you miss it – or just want to remember it? If so here are a few other highlights:
• The National Anthem, sung by Leslie Tom, a professional country singer and new resident of Denver
• Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, marching with several other members of the city council
• The high energy cheerleading of the Platinum Diva Princesses
• The first parade appearance for the Mountain Garrison of 501st Legion – Vader’s Fist – and Denver’s popular Star Wars re-enactors
• The highly anticipated return of the Wands & Wishes princesses
• A much-welcomed salute to Jerry and Mary Ellen Spinelli
• The rippy, zippy High Altitude Radio Controlled Car Club
• The high-kicking black belts of the Tiger Kim Tae Kwon Do Studio
• Too many classic cars and low riders to count!
• And, of course, the high stepping of the Maple Lake (MN) High School Marching Band!
As the parade founder and organizer, I’d also like to recognize the wonderful volunteers and sponsors, without whom the parade could not happen:
Volunteers: Charles and Hugh Newcomb, Dee Ciancio, Mike Regan, Elizabeth Leenhouts, Michael Murdoch, Michelle and Eve Golla, Steve Struck, Kara Wolf, Beth Ellsworth, Becky Richardson, Wendy Miner, and a gaggle of other Breslers: Alison, Ellie, Max and Charles.
Sponsors: This year’s title sponsor is Peak Properties/Mile High Home Guide. Other sponsors include Cake Crumbs Bakery, Dee Ciancio Realty, Quebec Square Family Dentistry, Denver Welcome Home, Venture Prep, Peteybird Ice Cream, Paddington Station, Three Week Kitchens/Baths in a Week, Tables Restaurant, Oblio’s Pizza, Tai Chi Project, Westword, DWC Neighbors, Canyon Bakehouse, Dardano’s School of Gymnastics, Denver Preschool Program and Mile High Golf Cars.
Justin Bresler is the founder and organizer of the Park Hill Fourth of July Parade.