Leading the way

The Las Vegas Valley is invited to celebrate Independence Day at the 15th annual Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade from 9 to 11 a.m. July 4 in The Trails village of Summerlin.

The parade features more than 60 entries including traditional floats, giant helium balloons, bands, performing groups and a variety of kids' favorite storybook characters look-alikes. One of the entries include an all-star salute to Nellis Air Force Base featuring a 30-foot giant inflatable eagle. Also, in the parade will be a tribute to the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, an appearance by Neon City Garrison featuring Darth Vader and the Storm Troopers and American Indian dancing by Danza Del Carrizo.

"The various entries are entertaining, colorful and most important of all, patriotic," said Lezlie Barnson-DeNardin, director of community relations for The Summerlin Council, the nonprofit arm of the Summerlin Community Association, which coordinates the annual parade.

Nellis Air Force Base has been a longtime participant in the parade. Servicemen and servicewomen will walk alongside the Salute to Military entry and the Nellis Color Guard will present the flag. Master Sgt. Robert Brooks will sing the national anthem. Gen. Kevin McLaughlin, vice commander, United States Air Force Warfare Center, will serve as the 2009 parade grand marshal.

"We're particularly proud to have representatives from Nellis involved in so many capacities," Barnson-DeNardin said.

The parade begins at the corner of Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive in The Trails village. To get there, travel south on Hills Center Drive toward the Village Center Circle roundabout, before heading west on Trailwood Drive. The parade will end at the corner of Trailwood Drive and Spring Gate Lane.

Weather anchor Sherry Swensk and reporter Chris Saldana from KLAS-TV along with morning radio personality Melanie from KSNE-FM will emcee the parade.

Major sponsors of this year's parade include Summerlin and its developer, The Howard Hughes Corp., Securitas, Clear Channel and the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

For more information on the parade, visit summerlin.com or call 341-5500.

Developed by The Howard Hughes Corp., an affiliate of General Growth Properties Inc., Summerlin began to take shape in 1990.

Located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley, Summerlin encompasses 22,500 acres with 9,000 acres still remaining to accommodate future growth within the master plan, including the community's urban core of Summerlin Centre.

The community is currently home to more than 95,000 residents. Amenities include more than 100 neighborhood and village parks, more than 150 completed miles of the Summerlin trail system, nine golf courses, a dozen houses of worship, shopping centers, medical and cultural facilities, business parks, 23 public and private schools and nearly 100 actively selling floor plans.

Homes are available in a variety of styles -- from single-family homes to townhomes, condominiums and lofts .

For more information, call 888-898-5015 or visit summerlin.com .