It may have rained on other parades, but it was sunny and hot along Barracks Row the morning of July 4th as neighbors and friends gathered for the 17th Annual Capitol Hill Community 4th of July Parade.
The parade, organized annually by Jeanne, Phil, Meg Real Estate in partnership with Naval Lodge #4, began at Eighth and I Streets SE marching along Barracks Row to conclude at Eastern Market Metro Plaza.
This year’s parade featured two marching bands: The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, accompanied by the USMC Color Guard, as well as the Eastern High School Blue and White Marching Machine, accompanied by the dance team.
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) led the parade, following the WSMC band and Naval Lodge #4 with his family. The councilmember entered the crowd to shake hands and distribute flags, offering greetings to attendees lining the streets.
Appearances were made by other elected officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), accompanied by her green squad distributing flags and bouncing balls as well as At-Large Councilmembers Robert White, Jr. (D) and Elissa Silverman (I), the latter accompanied by a Theodore Roosevelt mascot in a Silverman #8 Nats jersey.
The DC Republican Party brought a vocalist who performed from a truck bed as the party proceeded along the street. Ward 6 Dems dressed in white to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, wearing sashes and carrying signs emblazoned with slogans both historical and current, including “Votes for Women,’ ‘Pass the ERA’ and ‘Finish What They Started’.
Ms. Senior DC 2019 Trinette Chase walked with the Mayor. An incredible neighbor and Arthur Capper senior, Chase won this year’s Ms. Senior DC competition at the end of June. Also appearing with family in a white convertible was Mountain Laurel Miss Virginia Princess 2019 Genevieve Forster.
Highlights also included the Capitol Hill BID Men in Blue, causing waves of street scrambles as they tossed candy from their big blue bins. Four bicycle floats, including an eagle, liberty and two in red-white-and-blue themes, preceded the Capitol Hill Cluster School contingent.
Garbed in fabulous costumes, the Capitol Hill Continentals again brought President George Washington to wish the assembled a happy Fourth, accompanied by a retinue including ladies, officers, fifers and drummers.
Christ Embassy Church came from Largo, Maryland bringing along one light truck and another filled with costumed members, including a woman costumed as a bride.
Dance troupes Fraternity Tinkus Bolivia USA and Sambos Caporales, from Virginia delighted with their colorful costumes, twirling and jumping along the route despite the heat. This year, members waved the flags of both Bolivia and the USA as the danced along the route.
As the parade wound down, attendees visited Fire Truck Company 7 and Engine Company 18 at the Eighth Street Station. Others headed for the Miracle Theatre, where they enjoyed face painting, frozen treats and a free Charlie Brown cartoon in air-conditioned comfort.
See even more photos of the parade by finding @Hillrag on Facebook and Instagram @hillragDC on Twitter
