Thousands of District residents converged on Barracks Row to watch the Capitol Hill July 4th Parade Monday, a show of neighborhood solidarity that in this election year, also featured multiple candidates for office.
The parade kicked off at 10 a.m. with the President’s Own Marine Band marching north from Eighth and Virginia Avenue SE. They were followed by representatives of Naval Lodge #4, a sponsor of the event.
Numerous schools were represented in force, including Capitol Hill Day School, the Cluster Schools, Brent, Payne, Tyler (with tiger!) and what seemed to be most of Maury Elementary’s student body.
Organizations also made appearances, including the Capitol Hill Restoraton Society and Capitol Hill Village and Scout troops.
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) distributed DC flags to the crowd, as did Independent At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman. DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson also marched in the parade. Also marching were the Republic candidates: for DC Delegate, Nelson Rimensnyder; and for at-large DC Council, Giuseppe Niosi.
The largest contingent, as usual, marched with Mayor Muriel Bowser, sporting green t-shirts and throwing green balls into the crowd. She was joined by Miss District of Columbia
Highlights of this year’s parade included the Tinkus Bolivia dancers, who spun and leaped the length of the parade route; the jugglers of Sports on the Hill (SOTH) who periodically stopped to perform as a duo; and the stars of every year, the Capitol Hill BID “Men in Blue”.
This year, the men in blue sported capes celebrating their heroic ability to keep the Hill clean and encouraging others to do so. They were swarmed by children eager for candy and yellow frisbees that the heroes distributed along the route of the parade.
The parade is sponsored annually by Jeanne, Phil, Meg Real Estate in partnership with Naval Lodge #4 and the Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professionals (CHAMPS). Learn more at www.capitolhill4thparade.com
