The Town of Kenbridge is preparing for the annual July Jubilee, but the Independence Day celebration comes with a twist – the event and its parade procession of floats, vehicles, and equipment will take place on July 12. 

Event organizer and Kenbridge Council Member Mary Dayton told The Dispatch that Kenbridge chooses a date other than July 4 or 5 to ensure the community can celebrate the event without competing with other local fireworks, holiday gatherings, and travel plans. 

“This decision helps maximize attendance,” Councilwoman Dayton said. “It also gives families more flexibility to enjoy multiple festivities in the area.”

Dayton said numerous notable participants have already confirmed for the belated edition of the July Jubilee. Now last year marked the first edition of the parade being added to the event. This time around, highlighted attendees for the procession include the Kenbridge Fire Department, Victoria Fire & Rescue, Southside Area Community Theater, the Virginia State Police, and a special appearance from the Virginia Department of Forestry featuring Smokey the Bear. The councilwoman shared that in total, 16 groups have signed up to take part in the parade, with others expected to join as the parade day approaches. 

“While we’re off to a great start, we’d love to see even more involvement from the community,” Dayton explained. “Our goal is to have 30-40 participants this year, and there’s still plenty of time to join. The deadline for entries is July 7.”

Starting off with the parade

So here’s the big question. What’s the parade route and how can I follow? Well, the celebration begins at 10 a.m. with event organizers expecting hometown traditions, flags, patriotism, and community pride to go along with the parade procession. Those in the parade will start lining up at 9:15 a.m. at the corner of West 6th Avenue near Benchmark Community Bank.

The parade will then get started near Benchmark Bank, then come up South Broad Street, turn onto East 5th Avenue and finally end up on Grace Street, wrapping up at the Kenbridge Town Park. That’s where the rest of the Jubilee will be held.

“We have even more exciting groups lined up that we can’t wait for you to see, and of course, there’s still time to join in on the fun,” Dayton said. “We encourage individuals, businesses, and organizations to sign up and help make this year’s event even more memorable. The success of the parade truly depends on the incredible support and creativity of our community.”

Cars, tractors, golf carts, and bicycles are expected to join as part of the parade procession. The parade entries are decorated by local businesses and citizens who have registered to participate. 

Looking at the schedule 

As a town-run event, the July Jubilee takes months of preparation for Kenbridge officials, volunteers, and event participants around the Kenbridge community. The process for putting together the Independence Day event includes obtaining sponsors, advertising, vendor sign-up, event layout, and securing the DJ and other entertainment acts.

“Even though this is only the second year of the parade, the response from the community has been very positive,” Dayton shared. “Last year set the tone with its energy and charm, and people are excited to see how it grows. It’s quickly becoming a tradition that brings the town together, offering a unique way to celebrate Kenbridge and create lasting memories.” 

How do I sign up for July Jubilee? 

For anyone who wants to participate, registration is easy. You can follow the event on the town’s Facebook page, email Kenbridge officials at townofkenbridgeparade@gmail or visit https://forms.gle/McEE8Y2tXrT7DuM3A