Summerlin’s 16th annual Fourth of July parade expected to attract thousands of valley residents

The Las Vegas Valley is invited to celebrate Independence Day at the 16th annual Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade, one of Southern Nevada's largest Fourth of July parade.

This year's parade will be held July 3 in The Trails village of Summerlin. The escort division begins at 8:30 a.m.

More than 60 entries including traditional floats, Macy's-style giant helium balloons, bands, performing groups and kids' storybook characters will start the one-mile parade route at 9 a.m.

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

Everyone is encouraged to arrive early, carpool, wear sunscreen and bring water or sports drinks to stay well hydrated.

Last year, more than 40,000 valley residents attended the parade and every year gets bigger and better, according to Lezlie Barnson-DeNardin, director of community relations for The Summerlin Council, the non-profit arm of the Summerlin Community Association and coordinator of the annual parade.

"What started as a small community parade with kids riding decorated bikes down the street has become a major production on par with professional parades throughout the nation," Barnson-DeNardin said.

The Summerlin Council added several new entries to this year's parade line-up. They include Liberty Belle: A Showboat Celebration, which honors the jazzy spirit of New Orleans; Visions of Candyland; A Tribute to Lady Liberty; Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Summer of the Shark, a giant 25-foot shark inflatable balloon.

Traditional parade entries are also part of this year's parade, including All Star Salute to the Military, Spirit of 76, Undersea Jubilee, Let Freedom Sing, and a 33-foot American eagle giant helium balloon.

Weather Anchor Sherry Swensk and Reporter Chris Saldana from KLAS TV along with Melanie and Michael from KSNE Sunny 106.5 are emcees.

Summerlin and The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of Summerlin, are the title sponsors of the 2010 Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade. Securitas is the elite sponsor.

Other major sponsors include Cox Communications, Las Vegas Review-Journal/View Community Newspapers, Children's Medical Center at Summerlin Hospital, Clear Channel, Las Vegas Color Graphics and Friendly Ford.

For more information on The Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade, call 341-5500 or visit summerlin.com. Also become a fan on Facebook.com/Summerlin.