Fort Mitchell’s annual July 4th parade will honor the longtime service of five firefighting professionals.
“A Community of Dedication, Teamwork and Commitment” is the theme chosen for this year’s parade and describes what the five grand marshals have meant to the City of Fort Mitchell. Those grand marshals include firemen Jerry Bogenschutz, David Bolte, Clarence Kleier, Captain Ron Becker and Captain David Schrand.
“The Fort Mitchell Parade has been a long-standing tradition in the community as well as the region and who better to lead our parade but the people that have been committed to our Fire Department for a long time,” said Mayor Jude Hehman.
The parade will kick-off at 12:30 p.m. on July 4 from the DCCH Children’s Home on Orphanage Road, head down Dixie Highway, pass the newly renovated and expanded city building, and end on Beechwood Road in front of the school.
“This is a celebration of being volunteers,” said Schrand. “It’s growing up with family members that were volunteers. It was and still is the right thing to do – to give something back to the community. Being a volunteer is in my blood. The excitement of the sirens and pagers going off with calls. The dedication and passion of the volunteer firefighters has made Fort Mitchell Fire Department the professional department that it is today.”
Floats will include local businesses, youth sports teams, and Boy Scouts. The parade will also feature vintage cars and trucks along with fire departments from throughout Northern Kentucky.
The best spots for watching are along Dixie Highway in front of Blessed Sacrament, Fort Mitchell Baptist Church and the city building. Dixie Highway will be shut down to traffic beginning at 12:00 p.m.
Parade participants should arrive at the starting point on Orphanage Road by 11:30 a.m.
Organizations and individual groups can sign up to participate in the parade through the city’s website at http://fortmitchell.com/residents/july-4th-parade-information/.
– Staff report/Image via Fort Mitchell Fire Department Facebook page
