The Rotary Club of Jacksonville invites you to join in the fun at our Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025!
This year the parade’s focus is “Unite for Good,” celebrating agencies, organizations, and individuals who work together to create a positive community impact for all. We honor those leaders, groups, and volunteers committed to education, social and economic well-being, and improving community health.
Rotarian Karen Walker of Jacksonville has been selected to serve as the Parade Marshal. McQuillan said, “Please join us in celebrating all those who consistently take action to ‘Unite for Good,’ helping individuals and families build a better life.”
McQuillan continued, “We are excited to welcome a very large contingent of Shriners to our parade. Tony Moore of Jacksonville is the Potentate of Ansar Shrine in Springfield, this year. We are expecting about 10 Shrine units from Springfield, Mt. Auburn, White Hall, Beardstown, and Danville, in honor of Tony’s leadership. They will include: Ansar Shriners Jeepsters Unit, Ansar Shriners Arab Patrol, Ansar Shrine Legion of Honor, Ansar Ag Corps (tractors), Ansar Tin Lizzies, Ansar Shrine Mounted Cowboys, Ansar Shrine Keystone Kops, Ansar Shrine Clowns, and Ansar Shriners Krazy Karts (go-carts).”
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, around the square, exit on North Main, and disperse at Douglas Ave. (Please note that, because of construction on West State Street near the downtown square, the dispersal point is likely to change, so watch the “Rotary Club of Jacksonville #3227” Facebook page for updates.)
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.
Anyone who hasn’t pre-registered 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.
All vehicles and drivers must be properly insured. Drivers must be 25 years old or older and have a valid driver’s license. Registrants must abide by any public health or safety guidelines of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville or local authorities.
The deadline for pre-registering is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025. Parade entrants can register online or find registration forms to download at https://jacksonvillerotary.org/. Questions may be directed to (217) 370-2145 or july4parade@jacksonvillerotary.org.