Find Out Who's Joining Montclair's Fourth of July Parade

The ever-popular marching band Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps will join Montclair's July 4th festivities by marching in the township's 62nd annual Independence Day Parade.

Since its formation in 1979, this so-called "band of brothers and sisters" has been making music and art for audiences across the United States and Canada—including three American presidents.

The recipient of dozens of awards—from the New York City Heritage of Pride’s coveted Best in March Award to Rochester’s little-known but equally appreciated Ruby Slipper Award—the Big Apple Corps has been seen by millions in such diverse appearances as a parade to commemorate the bicentennial of George Washington’s Inauguration, a performance in a church basement in Brooklyn, a concert at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, and the New York City Veterans Day Parade.

The Big Apple Corps’ music has been heard by three American presidents and by countless celebrities along countless parade-route miles. A proud founding member of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA), the Big Apple Corps marched with LGBA in the Inaugural Parade for President Obama in 2009, and has performed from coast to coast with the LGBA massed band, featuring the combined membership of 34 bands from the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Montclair's July 4th parade begins at 11 a.m. and follows a 1.6-mile route which starts at the corner of Bloomfield Avenue and Church Street and travels west on Bloomfield Avenue to Midland Avenue, continuing to Watchung Avenue, west to Valley Road and ending at the official reviewing stand at Edgemont Park. A family picnic will be held in the park immediately following the parade.

This year, the parade will honor Ed Giblin, retired police chief, and John Gardner, retired fire chief, as grand marshals.

The parade also will see the return of such fan favorites as The Wayne Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps, the Fralinger String Band of Philadelphia Mummers, and Caporales San Simon.

The township July 4th Fireworks display will take place at Yogi Berra Stadium on Montclair State University campus. Gates open at 7 p.m. Free parking will be available at the Carparc Diem deck, adjacent to Floyd Hall Arena. Overflow vehicles will be directed to other parking areas. (Please note: the Red Hawk Parking Deck will be closed.)

For more information, go here.