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The Town of Kenbridge will be celebrating the July Jubilee a little differently this Independence Day season. Usually held on the week of July 4th, this year Kenbridge’s July Jubilee will be held July 13.

“We try to make (the July Jubilee) at a time when people will be in town to celebrate and also not over-extend people with other obligations in other area functions,” said Kenbridge Town Manager Tony Matthews about this year’s event schedule.

Festivities will kick off with the new Kenbridge July Jubilee Parade. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and features the Kenbridge Fire Department as well as traditional parade floats. 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. The parade procession will start on S. Broad St. toward E. 5th Street and finish at the Kenbridge Town Hall.

“We hope to have a good amount of entries,” Matthews told The K-V Dispatch. “We know there are a few floats, fire department vehicles, and smaller entries.”

The Kenbridge July Jubilee will take place between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. following the parade. The Kenbridge Town Park, adjacent to the Town Hall, will play host to the Jubilee.

July Jubilee changes

Though the week of the July Jubilee celebration has changed, Matthews said the traditional staples will still be available to the community. Some new entertainment options will also be available for the July 4th celebration.

Among the new entertainment options Kenbridge secured for this year’s July Jubilee: petting zoo for family entertainment.

“Each year we try to schedule something new, but also keep everyone’s favorite,” Matthews told The K-V Dispatch. “We will have cool treats, plenty of different food vendors, craft vendors, a bouncy house and games for the kids, and a live DJ.

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.

To register or receive more information about the parade, community members may contact Mary Dayton at TownofKenbridgeParade@ gmail.com. Parade participants should line up at W. 6th Avenue at Benchmark Bank by 9:15 a.m.