WASHINGTON—Hundreds of thousands of people of all ages cheered at the National Independence Day Parade, composed of thousands of performers who marched and danced along Constitution Ave from 7th Street to 17th Street, passing through just a couple of blocks from the White House. The parade started at 11:45 a.m., and finished in about two hours.
This is Washington’s biggest and best parade, says the parade’s website.
It was a familiar scene at this warm July 4th in the nation’s capital, as people celebrated the nation’s independence and birth. Although the day was mostly overcast with clouds, the celebration seemed to illuminate the city with energy.
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Members of the U.S. Armed Forces in full uniform led the parade.
The Parade National Selection Committee endeavors to have all parts of the country represented, according to the parade’s website, which says, “Marching bands are selected on the basis of overall quality, as well as geographic, ethnic and stylistic diversity.”
At least a half dozen high school bands from various parts of the country participated in the parade. The New Diana High School Eagle Band from Texas was one of the few high school bands from across the nation selected for this national parade.
“About one year ago I received a phone call from U.S. Representative Louie Ghomert’s office saying that Congressman Ghomert would like to nominate our band to represent his congressional district and the state of Texas in the National Independence Day Parade for 2011,” said New Diana Director of Bands George Little, according to KLTV.com.
Well over a hundred members of the Falun Dafa Divine Marching Band and Drummers marched and played to a cheering crowd. The band was followed by a float with giant lotus flowers and practitioners of Falun Gong performing qigong exercises with a smile.
The male and female dancers of the Caporales San Simon made another big and very energetic appearance this year with their culturally stylish costumes to a roaring crowd. The female dancers appeared to be dancing with little effort. Towards the latter part of the parade route, the male dancers appeared to be exhausted during short breaks of marching, but then would burst into dance with little sign of fatigue.
The National Independence Day Parade is co-hosted by the National Park Service and produced by Diversified Events.
