A Non-Profit 501(c)3 Organization
Patriotic Americans Celebrating Our Freedom & Independence
New Jersey's largest & Greatest July 4th Parade!
Come join us to honor our nation’s veterans, active military personnel, and first responders serving both home and abroad for the personal sacrifices they have made to our country! We especially owe our veterans a great deal of support, appreciation, and gratitude for the sacrifices they made which bore hardship not only on those serving but, on their families as well.
Our Mission
We hope to bring meaning and continued pride to the Fourth of July by not only saying “Happy Birthday America” but spending the day saying, “Thank you” by honoring our military veterans & active military personnel for their fight to keep us free & for the freedoms that we so often take for granted! Freedoms which we would never experience if it were not for them!
Interested in Participating?
Businesses, groups, non-profits, etc. can join the parade by filling out our registration forms and contacting parade committee members! We encourage anyone interested in being involved either through sponsorship, volunteering, or traveling in the parade to come aboard!
Our History . . .
How it all began . . .
The Galloway Township 4th of July Parade was the idea and dream of a couple of Veterans back in 1998. They began by discussing how they could get the younger generations to learn more, to honor, and to respect our military personnel for the sacrifices they have made, the protections they have provided this great country while ensuring our freedoms and defending the Constitution of the United States of America. They also wanted a way to get the youth involved to learn the true meaning of military service by instilling patriotism through participation at a young age. They decided to associate it with America’s Birthday (July 4th), the creation of our Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence, three reasons why our men & women of the military continue to defend our country and our freedoms to this day!
The very first parade was held the following year, July 4th, 1999. The weather that day was extremely hot, reaching almost 100 degrees with high humidity. The parade had 47 entries only, including the 63rd Army Band from Sea Girt NJ. The crowd that gathered to watch the parade was just a little more than a hundred spectators.
Their dream was to see this idea really take hold with the public and to become a major event.
Fourteen years & parades later, their idea has turned into one of the largest Fourth of July parade events in the State of New Jersey! Their idea has continued to grow each year. A decade later, in 2009 there were approximately 108 entries, in 2010 there were approximately 127 entries, in 2011 there 146 registered entries, and in 2012 there were 176 registered entries and still climbing! The parade has grown so much that we had to begin to require everyone to be pre-registered, with no registration allowed on the day of the parade as we had done in the past. With an average spectator audience of over 8000 people who line the sidewalks along the parade route as well as in the Village Greene in Historic Smithville for the Post Parade Ceremonies, the parade has become more than they could have ever envisioned in that meeting of patriotic minds back in 1998.
The parade’s success is due to the enormous patience & guidance of its two founders, Isaac (Ike) Rucker & Marty Russell. As well as countless other team members that volunteer their time year after year to ensure the parade's continued success! Their dream & vision for the future in wanting to get our youth involved has come true and become a reality in Galloway Township, New Jersey!
The enormous cooperation & participation by Historic Smithville Inn, Village Greene, Galloway Township Officials, the Galloway Township Public Works department, and the various Township departments that are involved with setting-up, manning, and take-down of the parade ensure each year's successful celebration. The procession could also not be possible without the countless hours put in by individual parade committee members (who are private citizens) that unselfishly dedicate an enormous amount of their personal time away from their families to make each and every parade year better than the year before, the magnificent support by our Four Seasons Volunteers who come out to help us each year, and our fundraisers who make this event possible. Let us not forget the local businesses and individual sponsors whose donations make our Program/AD Book such a success! Without their unselfish support we could not financially support this parade.
Please come join us on July 4th at 9 AM for America’s Birthday to celebrate freedom by honoring our Troops, Veterans, and First Responders!
Parade Registration & Forms
Parade Registration & Forms
Parade Registration & Forms
Want to participate in the parade? Click here to fill out the necessary paperwork to be involved!
Fundraising & Sponsorship
Parade Registration & Forms
Parade Registration & Forms
Interested in helping fund the parade? Every little bit counts! We fundraise many ways throughout the year. Check out how you can participate!
Join Our Team
Parade Registration & Forms
Join Our Team
We are always looking for more sponsors and volunteers! Click here to have your business spotlighted in the parade or join us to help bring it all together!
Contact Us
see us in person Every July 4th at 9am!
Come out and see us along the parade route!
Galloway Township July 4th Parade
