Holiday Fun: Burke Street Independence Day Parade

In this 2011 photo, Margaret Humphrey is at the left with grandson, Elliott Norman; daughter, Kristen Humphrey Norman; husband, Merle, and grand-daughter, Violet. In front are grandchildren Leo and Meg Norman.

The 36th Annual Burke Street Parade is July 4th on the city’s west side, near Gunn Park.

The event is pretty disorganized, said Margaret Doherty Humphrey, but lots of fun. The Humphreys live at 1024 S. Burke.

The parade starts with patriotic singing led by Phil Hammonds, Jill Gorman, and Susan Foster.

“We started the singing after 9-11 (the terrorist bombings in New York), Humphrey said.

People wear patriotic attire, kids decorate their bikes, scooters or buggies and line up at 10th and Burke streets at 10 a.m.

There is no parking on Burke Street between 10th and 12th streets during the time of the event.

The public is invited to sit or stand on the curbs lining the street during the parade.

And people are invited to don a patriotic outfit and join in the fun.

“Frank Halsey will line them up at 10th and Burke,” Humphrey said.

Frank and his wife, Deb are hosting the cookie social following the short parade at 1222 Burke Street. People may donate cookies for the social the day before the parade, to the Halseys home.

“Every year someone (on Burke Street) hosts the cookies and drinks,” Humphrey said.

“Please no big vehicles and watch for children who are all over the place,” Humphrey said. “It’s very disorganized, they go up and down and back and forth.”

For more information call Margaret Humphrey 223-0388 or Theresa Bahr 223-1582.

“Or Barbara Albright, the official distributor of information,” Humphrey said.

“Severe storms or lightning cancels the parade…but we conquered the rain last year,” Humphrey said.

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