The mission of the Northside Fourth of July Parade is to celebrate independence and to serve as a tool for community building.  Parade organizers work to invite and involve people from all corners of the community as both participants and viewers.  The parade offers a way to get to know one's neighbors through a shared light-hearted activity.  Neighbors who know one another and have laughed together are more inclined to be involved and to make their neighborhood a nicer place to live.  We invite everyone to join us and help celebrate the Fourth of July!

The Northside Fourth of July Parade is sponsored by the Northside Community Council (NCC) and coordinated by the NCC’s Fourth of July Parade Committee. An Independence Day tradition since at least the 1950s, the Northside Fourth of July Parade involves 600 to 800 participants and over 3,000 attendees. The mile-long parade route is the longest in Hamilton County. The parade starts at the northern boundary of Northside and travels  south on Hamilton Avenue to Hoffner Park, where the celebration continues with the Fourth of July Festival.

The parade is led by a grand marshal selected for his or her contributions to the community. Parade entries include veterans groups, bands, civic groups, antique cars, local businesses and nonprofit organizations, and community members of all ages. Creativity is celebrated and encouraged through the Creative Parade Entries Contest.

More Parade History

Northside Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshals

2010
The Blase Brothers, Shake-It owners, long-time promoters of Northside and Cincinnati music scene

2009
Vicki Fleischer, community volunteer, founder and webmistress of Northside e-newsletter Bits & Pieces, and long-time member of Northsidian Ladies Auxilliary Lawnchair Brigade, and Robert Sala, Northside architectural firm owner, Northside Business Association (president 2003-2008, vice president 2000-2002), Cincinnati Northside Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (past board member)

2008
Mary Kroner and Mary Ann Meehan, community event organizers, coordinators of Northside Fourth of July Parade 1997-2001

2007
Shirley Copeland, long-time employee of Northside White Castle, and Worley Rodehaver, Media Associates/Metro Neighbors newspaper publisher

2006
Rick Schaeper, Schaeper’s Pharmacy

2005
Dorothy Kemp, Queen City Concert Band, and Earl Sickles, Mayor of Ella Street

2004
Pearl Burr, community volunteer

2003
Mary Jackson and Alma Voelckel, active Northside Community Council members

2002
Rick  Strahm, Cumminsville Post Office

2001
Don Biemesche, North Side Bank and Trust, Northside Business Association

2000
Bill Dickhaus, Ace Hardware

1999
Charlene Dalton, Northside Community School

1998
Maureen Wood, community developer

1997
Chuck Harmon, major league baseball player and coach, first African-American player on Cincinnati Reds

1996
Gwen Finegan, business district plan coordinator, community fundraiser, co-founder of Northside House Tour

199?
Bobbie Sterne, former Mayor of Cincinnati and former Cincinnati City Council Member

Northside Fourth of July Parade Creative Parade Entries Contest Winners

2009
Roller Bladin' Flag Wavin' Nephews of Uncle Sam (Amazing Skating Kreimers)
Rhythm & Motion
Taylor Jameson Hair Design
Withrow Band
Zins Plumbing

2008
Able Projects
Nothside Danceteria
Northside Gnomes
Queen City Rainbow Band
Zins Plumbing

2007
East Pullan Avenue
Shoetopia
Taylor Jameson Hair Design
Youth United Precision Drill Team
Zins Plumbing

2006
CommUnity Bridge/North Presbyterian Church
InkTank, Inc.
Ladies Auxilliary Lawn Chair Brigade
Village Green
Zins Plumbing