Dale City’s annual parade is tomorrow

It’s parade time in Dale City again, bringing with it the largest Independence Day event in Virginia.

For Prince William County Board Supervisor John D. Jenkins, this will be his 42^nd year participating in the annual Fourth of July tradition.

“Obviously this is the biggest Fourth of July event that we have in the state. When I left this morning, we already had 135 units that had already signed up,” said Jenkins, who represents Dale City on the county board.

The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. tomorrow, staring at the Boys and Girls Club on Dale Boulevard. The three-mile parade route takes marchers and floats down Dale Boulevard, eventually to the grand viewing area in front of the Comcast building.

Planners decided  to hold the event on July 3^rd this year, said Jenkins, as July 4^th falls on a Sunday.

Hundreds line the parade route each year to see the many marching bands, business groups, civic associations, military personnel and politicians who all march in the parade.

The parade is scheduled to be broadcast on local cable TV, said Jenkins.

The parade marches down the two lanes of Dale Boulevard’s eastbound side.

The westbound side of the road is converted into two-way traffic under heavy police direction.

If you’re planning on driving through Dale City between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, parade organizers say it’s best to avoid using Dale Boulevard and use Prince William Parkway instead.