Summerlin to celebrate holiday

The entire Las Vegas Valley is invited to celebrate Independence Day at the 17th annual Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade. More than 40,000 people are expected to attend.

The parade takes place Monday in The Trails village of Summerlin with the escort division starting at 8:30 a.m. followed by the parade at 9 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, carpool, wear sunscreen and stay well hydrated.

The parade begins at the corner of Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive. Participants travel south on Hills Center Drive toward the Village Center Circle roundabout before heading west on Trailwood Drive and ending at the corner of Trailwood Drive and Spring Gate Lane.

More than 60 entries will be featured this year, including traditional floats, Macy's-style giant helium balloons, bands and performing groups and a variety of kids' favorite storybook and cartoon characters.

New entries include a "Toy Story" themed entry featuring a 25-foot Mr. Potato Head inflatable balloon; an American Superhero Squad float with Captain America, Spider Man, Wonder Woman and Superman; and a "Tangled"-inspired entry featuring Rapunzel towering above the crowds.

Traditional parade entries include the Spirit of '76, Visions of Candyland, Under the Sea Jubilee, A Tribute to Lady Liberty and An-All Star Salute to the Military.

Col. Steven Garland, commander of the 99th Air Base Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, is the 2011 grand marshal. Emceeing this year's parade are KLAS-TV8 anchors Sherry Swensk and Chris Saldaña and representatives from Clear Channel/Sunny 106.5.

The parade is coordinated by The Summerlin Council, the nonprofit arm of the Summerlin Community Association dedicated to the social, educational and recreational enrichment of residents. Planning for the parade is a year-round labor of love, according to Lezlie Barnson-DeNardin, director of community relations for The Summerlin Council and organizer of the annual parade.

"Countless hours go into the planning of the annual parade," she said. "And it's worth every minute, when we see the streets lined with thousands of patriotic residents who come out to celebrate the holiday with us."

Title sponsors of this year's parade are Summerlin and The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of Summerlin. QI Security Services is serving as the premier sponsor. Other major sponsors include Las Vegas Color Graphics, the Las Vegas Review-Journal/View News, Great Harvest Bread Co., Par 3 Landscape and Maintenance, DLP, Friendly Ford, CenturyLink, Celebrate Kids, Current Events Party Rentals and Décor and Clear Channel.

For more information, call 702-341-5500 or visit summerlin.com/events.

Located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley, Summerlin encompasses 22,500 acres with about 7,500 acres still remaining to accommodate future growth. The community is currently home to nearly 100,000 residents.

Amenities include 150 neighborhood and village parks, more than 150 miles of the Summerlin trail system, 26 public and private schools, 14 houses of worship, nine golf courses, shopping centers, medical and cultural facilities, business parks and more than three dozen actively selling floor plans.

Homes are available in a variety of styles -- from single-family homes to townhomes, condominiums and lofts -- priced from the mid-$100,000s to more than $1 million.

For more information on Summerlin and its neighborhoods, visit summerlin.com or facebook.com/summerlinlv.