The Town of Indian Trail will host its annual July 4 Parade on Tuesday, July 4. The parade will kick off at 11:30 a.m. beginning at Post Office Drive. Parade floats will travel one mile down Indian Trail Road to Old Monroe Road, where the parade will conclude.
During the parade, attendees will be treated to seeing floats, vehicles, and walking groups from our local first responders, local businesses, the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, the VFW and American Legion, and the Indian Trail Mayor and Town Council. Plus, there will be lots of candy! The parade is being sponsored by Samson Tree LLC.
Leading the parade this year will be Grand Marshal Olivia Reardon, representing the OliviaStrong Foundation, Inc. She was selected as the grand marshal by the Town Council at the May 23 Council meeting. Olivia’s battle with pediatric cancer inspired her parents to create the OliviaStrong Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to bringing awareness and finding a cure to end childhood cancer. Olivia was diagnosed with stage four alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the paranasal sinuses, a rare soft tissue cancer. She bravely endured 66 weeks of chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation before finally being able to ring the cancer-free bell at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital this spring.
“I’m very proud to be a part of the Indian Trail community,” Olivia said. “People have been very much supportive of me during my fight against cancer. I can’t thank everyone enough. It means a lot to me to be the grand marshal. I’ve very grateful for it. I’m very excited for the float and can’t wait to toss candy to people. I’m also excited that I get to have my friends and family with me and that they get to share in the experience with me while we celebrate the Fourth of July.”
Parking will be available at Chestnut Square Park, the Indian Trail Town Hall, and Crossing Paths Park. Additional spots will be available along the route to watch the parade.
“The Town has had some wonderful and very deserving grand marshals over the years,” said Mayor David Cohn. “But Olivia and her family have truly touched my heart. She is an inspiration to us all. Not only did she face cancer head-on, but she and her family also started the OliviaStrong Foundation to help find a cure for childhood cancer. Cancer is something no one should have to face, especially not kids. I’m honored to have Olivia as our grand marshal and help bring awareness to the OliviaStrong Foundation.”
Find more information about Indian Trail Parks and Recreation and future events at www.itsparksandrec.com.
To learn more about the OliviaStrong Foundation, visit www.oliviastrongfoundation.org/.