ST. LOUIS, June 2, 2009 - The beloved mascot of the St. Louis Cardinals, Fredbird, will serve as honorary grand marshal of this year's Veiled Prophet Parade. A St. Louis family tradition for 132 years, the parade will wind through downtown St. Louis on Saturday, July 4, starting at 10 a.m.
The nation's most spectacular Independence Day parade also offers giant helium balloons, elaborate custom-built floats and a spirited competition among marching bands. More than 100 units will stretch over five miles in length, including 16 bands with more than 1,500 members.
"This is the summer of baseball in St. Louis," said Nelson H. Howe II, grand marshal of the Veiled Prophet Parade.
"Fredbird just celebrated his 30th birthday last month, and Major League Baseball's 80th All-Star Game will be played at Busch Stadium on July 14," he said. "There could be no better choice than Fredbird to serve as honorary grand marshal to continue our 132-year tradition of magnificent family entertainment," Howe said.
Parade Route
The parade begins at Fourth St. and Washington Ave. in downtown St. Louis at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. The grand march will continue south on Fourth St. and west on Market to end at 20th St. The final units will arrive at Market and 20th St. a little before noon.
Parade ThemeThis year's parade theme is "Everybody Needs a Vacation," in keeping with the parade's traditions of patriotic celebration and spectacular entertainment for the entire family.
"These are challenging times when everyone does need a vacation, and we have an answer," Howe said. "The Veiled Prophet parade will offer an opportunity to visit exotic destinations and see unique sights, free for everyone in the streets of downtown St. Louis."
The American Tourists, an archetypal pair of St. Louisans named Lou and Louise, will make repeated visits throughout the parade, creating additional excitement as spectators vie to be the first to spot their next appearance.
Parade Features
Among more than 100 parade units, major features include:* Seventeen floats, custom designed and built for the parade.* Twelve high school bands competing for prizes.* Four specialty bands.* Six giant helium balloons.* Clowns, unique vehicles and more.
As a July 4 tradition, the parade begins with the national anthem. This year, the Star Spangled Banner will be performed by St. Louisan Charles Glenn. A local Emmy Award winner, Glenn is regularly invited to sing the anthem for the Cardinals as well as the St. Louis Blues and Rams.
Glenn also has shared stages with such national groups as Smokey Robinson, Huey Lewis and the News and the Allman Brothers. In addition, he was selected by Don King Promotions to sing the national anthem for both nationally televised Corey Spinks fights. |
