St. John the Baptist, Manayunk - Lead Church in Philly's Oldest Fourth of July Parade

Interesting facts about the 2016 Parade include:

• Seventeen churches are scheduled to march, 2 more than in 2015.
• Epic Church is marching in the Parade for the first time. “Welcome, Epic members!”
• Community Bible Fellowship (formerly called Roxborough Baptist Church) was chartered in 1789 the same year that George Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States of America.
• In 1831 – the year of the first Community Independence Day Parade – two Manayunk churches were born: St. David’s Episcopal Church & St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church.
• Josie D. Heard African Methodist Episcopal Church, under the pastorate of the Rev. Bertha Johnson, is scheduled to march in the 2016 Parade after an absence of many years. “Welcome back, Josie D. Heard A.M.E. members!” Philadelphia, birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, is the location of the Bicentennial Celebration of the African Methodist Episcopal Churches July 3-13, 2016.

Any church that wishes to march in a future parade is welcomed to contact the Association President at 215-482-6513. Find the 21st Ward Fourth of July Association on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/21st-Ward-Fourth-of-July-Association/422457357892744 . Please note this parade list is subject to last minute changes. Contact the specific church/school office for the most timely information. At present Ridge Avenue United Methodist Church is scheduled to be first in the line of march for 2017. Look in this edition of The Review for the Association’s full-page display ad with Parade details.

There is NO raindate for the parade. If, because of serious inclement weather, the parade is canceled by Grand Marshal the Rev. Michael I. Tally, the parade will be held next year with St. John the Baptist in the lead.

Members of the Adam Kowalski Post 1 will march with St. John the Baptist. . Members of the Knights of Columbus will march with St. John the Baptist. The miniature horse with cart and possibly an alpaca will travel with St. John the Baptist. The Palestine-Roxborough Lodge 135 Free and Accepted Masons [www.LODGE135.com] in celebration of 203 years in Freemasonry (1813-2016) will march immediately following Wissahickon Presbyterian. Members of the Ridge Runners will drive antique cars within the line of march with Green Lane United Methodist.

Police will post temporary "No Parking" signs a day or two before the parade reminding residents to move their cars from the parade route (Manayunk, Lyceum, and Ridge Avenues) and access streets (Conarroe St. near Manayunk Ave. and Ridge Ave.). Septa bus routes will be detoured for the duration of the parade.

Each individual church marshal must report to Grand Marshal the Rev. Michael I. Tally, at Manayunk and Lyceum Aves. on Monday morning before marching. Rev. Michael will detail any last minute instructions. Remember advertising on floats and vehicles must be covered. Politicians are welcomed to march as members of their own churches or as invited guests of specific churches; however, campaigning will not be allowed. Parade rules will be enforced and it is each individual church marshal's responsibility that his/her church complies with the following rules.

1. No horses are permitted in the parade with the exception of the mounted color guard, or other units of special nature, pre-approved by the Association.

2. Domestic animals, such as dogs, are permitted to parade, if on a leash and under the control of the owner or handler.

3. Commercial advertising on floats or other vehicles is prohibited and must be covered.

4. Stopping or countermarching in opposition to the normal flow of the parade is prohibited, except with specific permission for special units pre-approved by the Association.

5. Bicycles and/or rollerblades are permitted but must be contained within the specific church's/school's line of march. Riding in opposition to the line of march is not permitted.

6. Parade marchers are permitted to hand items to parade watchers at the sidewalk. Riders are not permitted to throw or hand anything to parade watchers or marchers.

7. Throwing candy, peanuts, and other items to children IS PROHIBITED.

8. Violators shall be warned to stop, fined if they continue, and prosecuted.

9. Police officers will remove violators from the parade.

10. Individuals and churches allowing this dangerous custom to continue shall accept all liability and responsibility in the event of an accident.

At Community Bible Fellowship (formerly Roxborough Baptist Church) members and friends will offer FREE ice cold “Lemonade in the Shade” and FREE soft pretzels to marchers and watchers. Four-legged friends will be able to quench their thirst at the doggie water bowls.

The 21st Ward Independence Day Parade of Churches and Sunday Schools will begin with the salute to the Flag of the United States of America and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance led by Hugh Sinnott, Commander of the Hattal-Taylor V.F.W. Post 333, followed by the playing and singing of the National Anthem. The Hattal-Taylor Post Color Guard will proceed up the parade route with the Association’s President, Linda Marie Bell (Andorra Baptist) and Vice-President Kathleen “Kathy” Hack (St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic).

The Good Timers Band will play for three churches, St. John the Baptist, Wissahickon Presbyterian, and Green Lane United Methodist. To facilitate a more efficient parade the band will ride in two pickup trucks which will turn north onto Ridge Ave. and travel on Green La. back to the beginning of the parade at Manayunk and Lyceum Aves. Paraders are reminded not to block the band and the pickup trucks. The Cameron Highlanders, the bagpipe band of renown in Philadelphia and the suburbs, is scheduled to march with the block of Episcopal churches and then play in the parade in Glenside, PA.

The 21st Ward Fourth of July Association will hold the 14th Annual Fourth of July Raffle. Assistant Parade Marshals will have tickets at the parade. Tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5. Winners [1st prize = $100 gift card Acme/ShopRite, 2nd prize = $50 gift card Acme/ShopRite, 3rd prize = $25 gift card Applebee’s] will be notified by phone drawing Saturday, July 9, 2016. The winner will be notified by phone