So, the 4th of July is coming up, right? And you know what that means—parades! I decided to dig into the whole “4th of July Parade Performers” thing this year. It all started when I saw a poster about “A Capitol Fourth,” which I learned is this huge concert they put on every year. I thought, “Hey, I should check out who’s playing.”

First off, I found out that this show is a big deal. It’s been going on forever and is shown on PBS. This year, they’ve got Alfonso Ribeiro and Britt Stewart kicking things off, which should be pretty fun. They’re supposed to get everyone dancing, according to what I read.
Then I got into the National Independence Day Parade. That’s the main parade in Washington, D.C., and it’s a massive event. I checked out the details: it starts at 11:45 a.m., goes from 7th to 17th Street on Constitution Avenue, and it’s about a mile long. I figured out that you can watch it live on the streets or catch it on TV or online.
I was curious about past performers, too. Turns out, some pretty big names have been part of this over the years—like Boys II Men, Gloria Gaynor, and Aretha Franklin. I mean, that’s some serious talent! This year’s lineup has people like Patti LaBelle and John Fogerty. It got me thinking about all the different kinds of music they have.
While I was at it, I looked up some smaller local parades, like the one in Novato. They sent out a thank you message to participants, which was nice to see. It’s cool how each place has its own way of celebrating.
I even found out about the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in Bristol, Rhode Island. They’ve been doing this since 1785! It’s amazing how these traditions have lasted so long.

My Realizations
- It’s a Huge Deal: These parades and concerts are massive, with tons of planning involved.
- Lots of Variety: There’s a wide range of performers, from pop stars to classic rock legends.
- Community Spirit: It’s not just about the big names; local parades show a lot of community involvement.
- Long-Standing Traditions: Some of these celebrations have been going on for centuries.
So yeah, that’s what I’ve been up to. It’s been a fun dive into the world of 4th of July performances. I’m even thinking about heading to D.C. to see the parade in person next year. It’s pretty cool to see how everyone comes together to celebrate.