KENOSHA – The 2023 Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade presented by Snap-on will step off at 1 p.m. July 2 with the theme “From Sea to Shining Sea.” The parade is organized by the City of Kenosha. Continuing its community generosity, Snap-on is again the lead sponsor for the parade. Kenosha County joins the City of Kenosha in supporting the parade, along with division sponsors Jockey International, First American Bank, AECOM, Kenosha Nissan and Festival Foods. Steve Tindall will be honored as the “2022 Hometown Hero of the Year.” The Hometown Hero Commission takes nominations of veterans to honor through quarterly awards, and also chooses one veteran as the “Hometown Hero of the Year,” who is recognized at the Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade presented by Snap-on.
Tindall was nominated with over nine years of service with the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of Petty Officer First Class. Tindall served aboard the USS Dewey and the USS Hugh Purvis, being deployed several times to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico for training missions. He also served as a drug counselor for two years.
Other highlights of the parade include Kenosha’s Band of the Blackwatch and Rambler Band, Kenosha Pops Concert Band and bands River City Rhythm and Mad Plaid Brass. Always a crowd favorite, the Jesse White Tumbling Team from Chicago makes a return appearance.
Sixteen floats will compete for the honor of Best in Show, and also first, second and third place ribbons in categories including Artistic Excellence, Patriotism, Hometown Pride, Spirit/Energy and Best Use of Theme. This year’s float judges are Vicki Seebeck and Jayne Herring. Floats will be judged prior to the parade in the staging area, and winners will be announced during the parade at the announcer’s booth in Navy Memorial Park, in the 5200 block of Sixth Avenue.
The parade route will be identical to last year beginning on Seventh Avenue at Washington Road, then heading south through Sixth Avenue downtown and ending on the west side of Library Park. The parade will travel only in the southbound lane on Seventh Avenue, and people are welcome to sit on the boulevard once the parade route is closed to traffic at noon. The best areas for viewing the parade are along Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue before the parade reaches Library Park and prepares for disbanding.
How sweet it is: Following a change in city ordinance adopted by the Common Council in 2021, participants in the Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade are allowed to hand out (not throw) candy to spectators.
All ages are welcome to participate in a community bike ride as part of the parade – but bicyclists must be able to ride two miles without stopping and keep up with the group. All participants in the bike parade must ride a bike; no walking or jogging with the group. Bike parade participants do not need to submit a parade application, but should plan to gather at Seventh Avenue and Washington Road between 12- 12:30 p.m., prior to the 1 p.m. start time.
For more parade information, please visit the events web page at: www.kenosha.org
