May 31, 2023 – Hartford, WI – Big announcement today in Hartford is the tradition of a July 4 Parade will continue. A group of local organizers stepped up to fill out applications, rally the community and secure insurance for the event after it was initially reported the parade would be cancelled.
“They have all the applications, and we will be glad to work with them just as we have prior groups,” said City Administrator Steve Volkert.
“The one cool thing about this parade, not only is it being locally run but any money we collect is going to be poured right back into the community,” said organizer Stephanie Lynn. “This is probably the one and only year where there will be no fee for parade entries. People can join for free, it’s great advertising and publicity and we’re going to celebrate the community.”
If someone wants to register to participate or volunteer to help email thehartfordwiparades@gmail.com
It was May 11, 2023, when City Administrator Steve Volkert relayed the news.
“For the first time in as long as anyone can remember, Hartford will not be having a 4th of July Parade.”
As word spread around Hartford so did the spirit of commitment to tradition and community values to celebrate the freedom of America.
Click HERE to help volunteer and get involved with the Hartford July 4th Parade
A group was started on social media, Coalition to Save the 4th of July Parade. Within several hours the page grew to an army of over 100 neighbors looking to pull off the event.
A couple familiar businesses have expressed an interest including Laufer Trucking which will help transport veterans and a band through the parade route.
Early plans call for the parade to officially step off at 2 p.m. from Rossman Elementary and make its way north on Main Street to Lincoln Elementary.
Below is the original cancelation story that ran May 11, 2023.
For the past many years, the Hartford Jaycees put on this parade under the guidance of Aaron and Rachel Smiley. In 2021, the Jaycees disbanded and the Smiley’s asked The Mill group to allow them to run the event under their umbrella as a not-for-profit organization.
After the recent passing of Aaron Smiley, it was determined by The Mill that they did not have the bandwidth to put on such a large event and they let the city know of this development.
Other local organizations including the Downtown Business Improvement District and Chamber of Commerce were made aware of the change.
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The Chamber already puts on several events including the heavily attended Christmas Parade in November while the local veteran’s organizations host the Memorial Day Parade.
The 4th of July Fireworks in Hartford will be held at dusk on the July 4, 2023, at Independence Park; this will still be the site for a bigger and better show.
