Bethany Beach to celebrate Independence Day with parade July 4

The Bethany Beach Independence Day Parade will begin at noon, Tuesday, July 4, taking its traditional 2-mile route starting at Pennsylvania Avenue and Garfield Parkway, and processing through downtown Bethany. The theme is Traditions Thrive in ’25.

Anyone wishing to enter a float is encouraged to get creative with the theme and show support for the community. For guidelines, go to townofbethanybeach.com under Activities, Fourth of July.  Floats are entered the day of the parade from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the registration desks located at Route 1 and Central Avenue. Judging will take place before the parade begins.

In addition to the floats, bikes and a procession of VIPs, the annual tradition includes a combination of bands on trucks and marching bands. These include the 287th Army National Guard Band, 1st Delaware Regiment Fife and Drum Corps, Delaware Highlanders, Tidewater Brass and The Dixie Express.

Bikers and walkers will not be judged but still require registration. The town will continue to supply items to decorate bikes, but they will not be in kits. Bikers are encouraged to bring a bag to collect individual pieces at the table located on the Christian Church grounds.

On parade day, streets will be shut down as follows; attendees should plan accordingly. At 9 a.m., the 100 block of Central Avenue and Campbell Place will be closed for float staging along with N. Pennsylvania Avenue from Garfield Parkway to Central Avenue. At 11:45 a.m., all of the east side is locked down. At approximately 1 p.m., Garfield Parkway south will open up once the end of the parade has cleared the area. The north end will remain closed until the parade reaches the church at approximately 2 p.m.

Winners will receive their awards in a ceremony to take place on the Bandstand at 7:15 p.m.

Since the success of the parade depends heavily on the scheduled availability of police, emergency medical services personnel and bands, there is no rain date.

For updates, go to townofbethanybeach.com and see Activities, Fourth of July.