The Rotary Club of Jacksonville invites the community to attend its rescheduled Independence Day Parade, which will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 31.

Parade chairwoman Joan McQuillan said, “We rescheduled this parade because of stormy weather on the Fourth of July. The theme of this year’s parade is ‘Building Community Magic.’ The Rotary Club is celebrating those who play a vital role in preserving, promoting and enhancing our rich cultural heritage while building community identity. Their contributions encourage us to be curious, challenge our thinking, ask questions, and inspire us to imagine our place in the world.”

Jacksonville Area Museum Manager McKenna Servis, and Rotarians Alberta Robinson and Steven Varble will serve as Parade Marshals. The Rotary Club of Jacksonville is proud to celebrate Servis, Robinson and Varble, and the impact of their service above self.

Because of construction on West State Street near the downtown square, the parade route is slightly different. The parade route will form up and originate at the Morgan County Fairgrounds. The route will proceed on Grand Avenue (Morgan County Fairgrounds gate) headed east on West State Street and will end at the High School Apartments. Entries may disperse north or south onto Fayette Street.

On the morning of the parade, registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs until 9:45 a.m. Registration entry point is on Westgate and Horsebarn Road at the Southwest Gate of the Morgan County Fairgrounds. Parade lineup numbers will be assigned the day of the parade. The order of the parade line up is determined by the order in which entrants check in with registration staff; the first checked in will be the first placed. Lineup will be along Grandstand Road on the fairgrounds. Floats and long vehicles must arrive by 9:00 a.m. One person with each entry is required to check in to receive a parade number and last minute information. For entries with multiple vehicles, all vehicles must check in together.

People and organizations who were registered for the July 4 parade just need to show up on August 31. Your information is in the parade ‘book’ and you are all set! New participants who want to join the parade on the 31st can access a registration form at our website (jacksonvillerotary.org) or by emailing Noel Beard, parade registration coordinator, at July4parade@jacksonvillerotary.org. The deadline for pre-registering is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024. Anyone who doesn’t pre-register for the parade cannot be guaranteed a place in the parade, but may be offered an opportunity to form up at the end of the parade.