Moorestown July 4th Parade is 'Made in America'

With only a day left until the Fourth of July holiday, Moorestown is gearing up for this year’s "Made in America"-themed Independence Day parade.

This will be event coordinator Dave Schill’s third parade. After weeks of fundraising for this year’s event, along with lectures on patriotic literature hosted in the local library, all the props and planning are finally in order for Thursday.

“We’re hoping that people will rally around that theme and jump into the parade in some way in a 'Made in America' float or costumes, that kind of thing,” Schill said.

Schill is hoping for a crowd of locals as large as last year’s parade, which he said filled the streets along the parade route. With an exception to this year’s theme, not much about the parade has been changed. Families are welcome to enter floats and decorated bikes and show off their cars for this year’s “secret car.” 

Spoiler alert: This year’s “secret car” is the Ford Mustang.

“We have a secret car each year. Last year was Porsche and this year the secret car is the Ford Mustang because of our theme,” said Schill. “So we’ll have about a dozen Mustangs or more if they show up.”

Schill is hoping any Moorestown families who have opted out of shore traffic, long lines on the boardwalk and the crowded beaches this Fourth of July will come out to see the parade, as well as participate in it if the mood strikes them.

“We’re encouraging families with young children to decorate their bikes, being the family component,” said Schill. “Military veterans are always welcome. I have a float set aside for them.”

The parade starts at noon and makes its way up Chester Avenue from Central Avenue and then down Main Street, ending at Church Street.

Schill encouraged spectators to arrive early if they want a good spot for the parade. And with the municipal lot at the library closed while the new town hall is under construction, parking will likely be at a premium Thursday morning. 

For more information, visit the parade website. 

Check out photos from last year's Fourth of July parade here.