America's Top Fourth of July Parades

Parades are a staple of any memorable Fourth of July celebration. While there are plenty to choose from, a select few Independence Day showcases stand out as America's best.

America's Most Patriotic Town certainly knows how to put on a memorable parade. Bristol, Rhode Island's annual Fourth of July Celebration dates all the way back to 1785, making "The Military, Civic and Firemen's Parade" the oldest annual parade in the country.

The National Independence Day Parade through Washington, D.C. is as monumental as Fourth of July parades come, covering an entire mile of Historic Constitution Avenue in just over two hours. Grab a seat on the steps of the National Archives Building or head directly to the end of the route at 17th St NW for an excellent view of the excitement.

The July 4th Celebration of Freedom and Independence Day Parade passes through Philadelphia's Historic District and features thousands of participants from all over the country, tons of patriotic music and colorful floats.

Celebrate America's birthday by traveling back in time at Old World Wisconsin, where visitors can even churn their own summer ice cream. The celebratory Parade of History through the Crossroads Village kicks off at 4:30 p.m.

Visitors to South Lake Tahoe will want to start their Fourth of July celebration by attending the local parade, which features the talented Marine Band San Diego and an after party BBQ that supports the American Legion.

The Fourth of July Parade is the oldest event in Arlington and one of the biggest in Texas. The two-mile parade attracts as many as 75,000 spectators each holiday. The festivities begin with the National Anthem at 9 a.m. and last approximately two hours.

The Fourth of July parade through downtown Bend isn't the biggest but it's undoubtedly one of the most unique as it features all sorts of pets, including dogs and llamas. The event is followed by the Old Fashioned July 4th Festival in Drake Park, featuring food, live music and local artisans.

The annual Fourth of July Parade in Redwood City is the largest in Northern California. The 1.3-mile route passes through historic Downtown Redwood City and features a slew of celebrated participants, including Miss California, the Redwood City Girl Scouts, American Legion Post 585 and the Peninsula Roller Girls.

America's Birthday Parade in St. Louis dates back to 1878 and this year's parade theme is "The U.S. Experience." Fourth of July revelers can look forward to more than a dozen marching bands, 21 floats, several character balloons and multiple performances.

Breckenridge's Main Street parade is one of many highlights visitors can look forward to on Independence Day. The two-hour event kicks off at 10 a.m. with the Red, White and Blue Color Guard and concludes with a reading of the Declaration of Independence by George Washington.