The City of Arlington is hosting one of the biggest Independence Day parades in Texas. Organizers expect 50,000 people to line the streets downtown and around the UT-Arlington campus.
The parade started in 1965 and now has a two mile route and 127 entries. The parade is the longest running event in Arlington, and organizers say it has become one of the biggest Independence Day events in Texas.
"It's going to be two hours of non-stop community fun," said the parade's Will Busby. "What is it like to have 50,000 people in Downtown Arlington? It's a sight to behold, let's just say that. You look around, and there are people ten-deep on every corner. One of the greatest things about this parade is it's a multi-generational parade. Families sit in the same spot every year."
The theme of this year's parade is "E Pluribus Unum--Out of Many, One." Busby said the theme represents that we are a nation of different backgrounds, but "we are all one as Americans."
"Even though we're a city of 400,000 and in the top 50 in the country, Arlington is still a small town," Busby said. "It's still very close-knit. People still know each other, love each other and they respect each other. That's why it's the American Dream City."
The grand marshal is Arlington Police Corporal Dick Hill. Hill graduated from UT Arlington and has been with Arlington Police since 1982.
"He's a friend to all who know him," Busby said. "He puts public safety above himself, and he puts service above himself."
Hill has worked at the parade for 44 of the parade's 57 years, leading the police escort at the front.
"I was reading on Facebook when we posted about our grand marshal. Some folks on there commented, 'He gave me my first ticket, but he was so nice about it.' Everybody speaks so highly of him because he does his job and keeps our community safe," Busby said.
The parade begins at 9 a.m. Parking areas and street closures are available here .
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