PHOTOS: Champaign County Freedom Celebration parade draws crowd despite later start time

 
Despite the changes made to this year’s Champaign County Freedom Celebration, many families from around the area came out to celebrate.

The annual Fourth of July parade, typically held on Lincoln and Kirby Avenue in Urbana, was moved to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign homecoming parade route. Its start time was also pushed back to 4:30 p.m. due to a lack of volunteers.

Spectators lined up along Fourth Street and Gregory Drive to watch floats, cars, dance groups and members of local organizations make their way through the parade. According to the Champaign County Freedom Celebration, more than 50 groups registered to be a part of this year’s parade lineup. 

Urbana resident Sandra Beck has attended the parade for more than 40 years. She said she prefers the earlier start time and the familiar location.

“I’ve enjoyed the parade on Lincoln Avenue for many years. I have enjoyed the parade in the middle of the day. My family has met other friends there for years and years,” she said. “We find this [to be] a big change.”

Beck said she was still grateful to be at the parade this year because it gives her an opportunity to spend time with loved ones every year.

Opal Anderson Tucker from Champaign has attended the parade a few times before. She said  the new location and timing was more accessible for her.

“It’s a little bit easier for us to get around with this new route,” she said. 

For some attendees, it was their first time taking part in Independence Day festivities in Champaign-Urbana.

SJ Carter is from Chicago but has spent the summer in Champaign to work on research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She and some friends decided to attend the parade to try something new in the city. 

“We’ve been spending some time here and we have been exploring different parts of Champaign,” she said. “We thought it would be fun to come see.”

The parade was followed by musical performances and a fireworks display near State Farm Center. 

Parade organizers haven’t said if next year’s celebration will go back to the old time or remain in the afternoon.

Ruby (left) and Hanken (right) Enright have attended the parade a few times. Every year, they look forward to grabbing candy passed out during the event.

According to the Champaign County Freedom Celebration website, more than 50 groups registered to be part of this year’s parade lineup.

Anthony Luo (center) attended the parade for the first time this year. He attended the event to show his family some of the Fourth of July festivities in the area.

Democratic Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (left) of Illinois’ 13th congressional district and members of her team were among the participants.

Parade participants distributed candy to children who lined the streets to watch the celebration.

Urbana resident Michelle Humes (center) has attended the parade for over 40 years. She liked the later start time to the parade because the weather was cooler.

Students of the HMD Academy of Tae Kwon Do participated in the parade, which featured more than 50 registered groups.

Urbana resident Melinda Williams attended the parade to spend time with her daughter and get candy.

Many groups in the parade held up signs to highlight their mission, including the League of Women Voters of Champaign County.

Ryan McCabe has attended the parade for more than 15 years. He said the changes to this year’s parade did not impact his family’s plans.

According to the Champaign County Freedom Celebration website, more than 50 groups registered to be a part of this year’s parade lineup.