Summerlin marks 14th Fourth of July parade

Summerlin residents will gather by the thousands to celebrate Independence Day at the Summerlin Patriotic Parade, according to Lezlie Barnson-DeNardin, director of community relations for The Summerlin Council.

The community will hold its 14th event this year, and it will stretch almost a mile throughout The Trails Village, starting at 9 a.m. on the Fourth of July.

"Our first parade in 1994 was simply dozens of Summerlin children who rode their decorated bicycles a quarter of a mile from the Summerlin Library & Performing Arts Center to The Trails Park," Barnson-DeNardin said.

"I still remember the moms standing in the crosswalk to stop the few cars that had gathered while waiting for our parade to safely cross the street. Our parade was very simple back then -- quite different than the parade today."

This year's parade features more than 70 entries, including traditional floats, performance groups, marching bands, mascots and giant inflatable balloons similar to those used in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

The Air Force Thunderbirds will not fly over this year. They are touring in Europe, according to Capt. Justin McVay, Nellis Air Force Base spokesman.

"Every year gets bigger and better, but we still remember and cherish the early days of our parade with a dedicated entry for kids on decorated bikes," Barnson-DeNardin said.

"The entry honors our past and allows Summerlin kids -- our future generation -- to demonstrate their own patriotic spirit."

The parade begins at the corner of Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive. Participants travel south 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.

For more information on the parade, visit Summerlin.com.

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

It is now a 22,500-acre, master-planned community located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley.

The community features a number of amenities and is currently home to more than 95,000 residents.

With about 7,500 acres still to develop, including its urban core, Summerlin Centre, Summerlin is continuing to unfold.

Summerlin is home to 100-plus neighborhood and village parks, more than 150 completed miles of the Summerlin trail system, 19 public and private schools, houses of worship, shopping centers, medical facilities, cultural facilities, business parks and more than 100 actively selling floor plans.

Single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and lofts are all available. Prices range from the low $200,000s to more than $1 million.

For more information about the master-planned community, call 791-4500.