Independence Day parade to stream down 13th Avenue

Brooklyn parade organizers aim to kick off their IndependenceDay celebrations a little earlier this year.

Brooklyn’s 106th annual American Independence Day Parade –sponsored by the Long Island Assembly of the Knights of Columbus –will take place on Saturday, June 25 in Dyker Heights.

Parade committee members said that, in recent years, the parade waspushed up to the Saturday before July 4, because of lowattendance.

However, this year it was moved to the last Saturday in June toallow for even more people to enjoy patriotic celebrations outsideof Brooklyn, as well as the one right at home.

I think it’s extremely important that we celebrate the birth ofour country. It’s a very patriotic holiday and something that weall should celebrate, said Fran Vella-Marrone, president of theDyker Heights Civic Association. Vella-Marrone, who has helpedorganized the Brooklyn Independence Day parade in the past, added,I’m glad that the Knights are holding onto the tradition of thisparade. I hope that it continues to go on.

Daniel Morgan, a KOC member, said the parade is important because,It shows that we have a free country and freedom of ourreligion.

The parade will begin at noon, and move along 13th Avenue from 71stStreet to 86th Street. It will feature marching bands, the Marinesand police officers on horses. There will also be motorcades ofmotorcycles and antique cars, and musical performances by bandssuch as the Giglio Italian Feast Band.

This year’s grand marshal is Roy Barone and the Pro-Patria Awardrecipient is Reverend Edward Kachurka, pastor of St. Ann’s Churchin Flushing.

Ceremonies after the parade will take place inside the ArchbishopJohn Hughes Council Knights of Columbus building, 86th Street and13th Avenue.

Camillo Casano, the head of the parade committee, is lookingforward to the parade and invites anyone who wants to celebrateAmerica’s birthday to attend. He said, I think it’s awesome. It’sa great thing. There should be more Independence Day parades.

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