Despite the sweltering heat and humidity that’s been holding our area hostage this summer, the annual “Independence Day Parade of Sunday Schools and Churches” (as it’s officially called), got a bit of a reprieve from Mother Nature this year.
Sure, the sun was beating down with its usual intensity, but a break in the humidity made it all bearable.
The parade hasn’t been so lucky in recent years.
That didn’t stop the bulk of the attendees from crowding under the tree-lined canopy that runs between Mitchell St. and Ridge Ave. along the Lyceum Avenue parade route.
As I made my way up Lyceum Avenue from Manayunk Avenue, where the parade originates from, I began to wonder where everyone was this year.
By the time I got to Mitchell Street, I knew!
The Salvation Army Roxborough Corps, under the auspices of Captains Oziel “Ozzie” and Melissa Urbaez, had the honor of leading the 2025 edition up Lyceum Avenue.
The Salvation Army came to the community in 1889 — 136-plus years ago!
Rick Mitchell was adorned in dazzling Red, White, and Blue to show his patriotic flair. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
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Rick Mitchell was adorned in dazzling Red, White, and Blue to show his patriotic flair. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Second in the line of march St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, under the auspices of the Rev. Meghan Mazur (new to the community in last November), has dutifully served the community with distinction and integrity for generations and has been a spiritual haven since before the Civil War.
Following the opening National Anthem, highlighted by the ethereal voice of Linda Marie Bell, Hattal-Taylor VFW Commander kicked off the festivities by leading a color guard brigade out of the paddocks.
In addition to the usual array of churches represented, several other local organizations and performance groups were queued up along Manayunk Ave. to strut their feathers.
Along musical lines, there were plenty of tunes circulating through the air as the Good Timers Band and The Salvation Army Band pumped out a steady stream of patriotic fare and familiar hymn tunes.
Bagpipers from the Phila. and District Pipe Band added a distinctly Scottish flair to the proceedings.
Galilee Baptist had a small brass band. The Schist Creek Stompers Jug Band, a crowd favorite, was a last minute addition to the parade. The Good Timers Band even doubled back to make a second pass along Lyceum Ave. to keep the patriotic vibe going.
The Ridge Runners Car Club provided a sampling of eye-catching vintage autos that surely triggered off a nostalgia attack for those of a certain age.
At the other end of the age curve, youngsters from the Jeannette’s School of Dance and Action Karate captivated the crowd with compelling routines along the parade route.
Another youth-oriented group making their way up Lyceum were representatives from the Roxborough Eagles Athletic Association, who may have been starting a yearly tradition.
The Palestine-Roxborough Lodge #135 Free and Accepted Masons marched and brought the minibus from the Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill. Adam Kowalski Post 1 marched as the color guard for St. John the Baptist Parish.
Betty Strain was in all her glory donning the most creative July 4th-themed outfit of the day. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
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Betty Strain was in all her glory donning the most creative July 4th-themed outfit of the day. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
The bulk of marchers carrying banners from various churches represented the diverse spectrum of religious denominations that worship in our community. In addition to The Salvation Army in the pole position, cross-generational parishioners from St. Timothy’s Episcopal, St Alban’s Episcopal, Ridge Ave. United Methodist, Green Lane United Methodist, Church in the Yunk, Galilee Baptist, Leverington Church, and St. John the Baptist proudly promenaded toward Ridge Avenue like their predecessors have done for countless decades.
The parade was originally founded in 1831 by Sunday School teacher Samuel Lawson, whose descendants still honor their ancestor by taking part in the iconic yearly procession.
Lawson organized a picnic and procession of Sunday School students marching through our fair hamlet 194 years ago.
Like all well-organized events, the parade doesn’t purr along each year without a dedicated cast of volunteers pulling strings to create a seamless operation.
Getting the parade airborne starts with the Parade Officers, the Parade Marshalls, and countless volunteers working behind the scenes to make this monumental undertaking seem so effortless.
St. James Dougherty leads the throng on the creative Leverington Church theme float. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Having a superb and experienced Grand Marshall like the Rev. Michael Talley holding the reins year after year goes a long way in keeping the parade’s well-oiled machine humming along.
The ever-humble Reverend would likely disagree and cast the spotlight on his Asst. Marshalls for doing the grunt work and bringing the plan to fruition.
That dedicated troupe would include: Joe D’Amore, Carol Spangenberg, Ralph Morgan, Dan Ferris, Keith and Elgie Hender, Donna Smyth, Nadine Talley, Jack Kennedy, Barbara Hetrick Hause, Lori Bonanni, Susan Weinman, Shelly Morris, Maria Bratina, Harry and Sue Getty, Ellen Casey Hart, MD, and Christopher Hart, PA.
The illustrious Parade Officers, which include President Linda Marie Bell, VP Kathy Hack, Secretary, Pro Temps Claire Morgan, and Secretary Denise Bratina deserve another congratulatory pat on the back for making sure that all the metaphorical ducks were lined up in a row.
Officers and marshals knew that Treasurer Susan Hart who went home to her heavenly reward or passed away in May was with each of them “in spirit.” The Good Timers Band remembered to play Sue’s favorite marching tune, “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
Each passing year seems to add more numbers and family names to the ever-growing McCarthy clan that spans four generations who fan out across Lyceum Ave.
As they pass by the home of their grand matriarch, Mary McCarthy. Mary, who looked resplendent as she rode alongside her Uber driver, son-in-law Dr. Joel Funari, has astonishingly been to well over 90 parades since her youth.
The day was not over for several church groups who had picnics planned for later in the day.
Hopefully, those locations had their share of shady trees because the summer heat began creeping back into the picture later in the afternoon.
Maybe the planning committee can order up another comfortable setting again for next year’s parade.