89th Annual Ypsilanti Independence Day Parade

The American Legion – Post 282 of Ypsilanti would like to announce in collaboration with Parade Ypsi and brought to you by various Ypsilanti Community Sponsors. That the 89th Annual Ypsilanti Independence Day Parade (The longest running parade in Michigan) will be held on Wednesday July 4th at 11:00.
 
The parade begins on the corner of Oakwood and West Cross Streets, and will travel down West Cross Street and end at Rice Street in Ypsilanti’s Historic Depot Town.
 
There are over 50 participants in this year’s parade including veterans, marching bands, new comers to the parade like Cultivate Coffee and Taphouse and The Neighborhood Theatre Group. We have Go Ice Cream, the Yankee Air Museum, First Fridays and classics like the Rolling Relics, Red Hat society, The Rosies and Elvis Fest. There will be awards given to Best Band, Best Variety Group, Best Float and Best Talent. 
 
The Grand Marshall will be Charles “Chuck” Kettles a native of Ypsilanti who was awarded the Medal of Honor on July 18, 2016 by President Obama, nearly 50 years after his actions while serving as a flight commander assigned to 176th Aviation Company (Airmobile) (Light), 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, America Division. The medal of Honor is just one of the many awards and decorations he has received for his service. For more information on Charles please visit: https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/kettles/
 
Businesses, Groups and Organizations are still welcome to sign up if they are interested in being a part of this year’s parade, they can sign up by going to our Facebook page- @YpsiParade and filling out an application.
 
We will have volunteers walking along the parade with buckets to collect donations, in order to keep this great community event going. Supporters can also donate to the Parade via our Facebook page. The American Legion appreciates the continued support of the community for this event.