This 1990 Fort Worth Star-Telegram article celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Arlington Independence Day Parade, which began in 1965, and also looks back at its origins.
As Diane Seo explains in the article, the parade started as a grassroots effort to “counter dissension over the Vietnam War.” Patriotism was complicated then, with the ongoing war causing a schism in the country. Parade organizers aimed to celebrate the country and foster pride, uniting people and creating a sense of community to offer a reprieve from uncertainty.
From humble beginnings—consisting of a simple procession of youth on red, white, and blue-decorated bicycles around Randol Mill Park—the parade has blossomed into one of the largest in the country, drawing an estimated 75,000 attendees each year. The parade route has expanded to a two-mile journey through Downtown Arlington and UTA, featuring dozens of dazzling floats, energetic marching bands, and countless civic, youth, school, and church groups. It embodies our vibrant community, serving as Arlington’s longest-running annual tradition.
The parade, which just had its 60th anniversary, remains a nostalgic tie to our small-town roots, with many of its core values still intact.
“Parade kicks off celebration with ‘Salute to Independence'”
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Fort Worth, Texas – July 3, 1990
Newspapers.com
Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 07-05-25
Jason S. Sullivan 