Fort Thomas will host its annual Fourth of July parade on Tuesday. Longtime co-organizers Linda Slone and Jim Trauth are planning for a banner year now that construction projects in the Central Business District are complete.
Judges for the floats had to move in recent years to accommodate building projects, but they will be back at their perch in front of the newly remodeled city building.
This year’s theme is simple and says it all: “A wonderful place to call home.” Slone said she was excited to announce this year’s Grand Marshal, Ken Warden, a well-known realtor and community volunteer.
In a proclamation naming him Grand Marshall for the Independence Day parade, Warden was described as a military veteran who has worked to support homeless and disabled vets. He has been active on the city’s Renaissance Board and helped in the re-development of the Central Business and Midway districts.
This year is Warden’s 50th year as a realtor. He has served as president of the Northern Kentucky Association of Realtors, the Northern Kentucky Multiple Listing Service and the Kentucky Association of Realtors.
Each year his train display in the window of Warden Realty is a favorite for the Christmas season.
Slone said she is most proud of the military division of the parade. She added that veterans from the VA Hospital will be out front along the stone fences, and she hopes parade goers will acknowledge them. This year, she has secured a large American flag that local girl and boy scouts will carry. The plan is to raise the flag when a person wearing a military uniform is spotted in the audience.
A new feature this year is the addition of a 40-foot dragon boat courtesy of the Kentucky cancer survivors dragon boat racing team known as the Kentucky Thorough-Breasts based in Highland Heights. The boat will be part of the healthcare division, Slone said.
She said she is also excited about two police cars that will join the parade from the Kentucky State Police. One is a new cruiser and the other is “vintage,” dating back to 1973. A police color guard will come along with the vehicles.
Slone had a few cautions for parade participants and parade goers. She said she will have a team of people who will walk with the vehicles and floats to ensure all goes well. She asked that those throwing candy try to throw it off to the sides and for all to be mindful of children along the parade route. She also said she worries about furry parade goers. The roadway can get very hot, and pet owners should take precautions, she said.
The parade will include eight or nine divisions, and Slone said she is still taking some applications. The applications are available on the Fort Thomas website.
At 10:30 a.m. on July 4, the parade will begin and will march down North and South Fort Thomas Avenues. For more information on the parade, contact Slone at lindagslone@yahoo.com or (859) 750-9532 or Jim Trauth at jatrauth@gmail.com.
Wait, there’s more on the 4th in Fort
Up early the day of the parade? Here’s a start for your Independence Day morning. The Campbell County YMCA will kick off the festivities on July 4 with a Kids Fun Run starting at 7:40am and a Firecracker 5K starting at 8:15 a.m. For the runs, gather at the Mess Hall in Tower Park (801 Cochran Avenue, Fort Thomas).
The party continues after the parade as well with a block party in Tower Park featuring the band, Trailer Park Floosies starting at 5:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or a chair and find a spot near the Tower Park Amphitheater. For more on these events, see the Fort Thomas Renaissance Board on Facebook.
For more information, contact Slone at lindagslone@yahoo.com or (859) 750-9532 or Jim Trauth at jatrauth@gmail.com.
