Navy Club Ship 29 to serve as this year’s Noblesville’s July 4 Parade Grand Marshal

Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen has chosen Hamilton County Navy Ship 29 as the grand marshal of this year’s Fourth of July Stars & Stripes Forever Parade sponsored by Gaylor Electric. The Hamilton County chapter of the national service organization is comprised of members who have served or are serving in the United States Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard.

“Our military has been defending our nation and democracy for 248 years, and I’m proud to have the Hamilton County Navy Ship 29 serve as our grand marshal,” Mayor Jensen said. “Independence Day is a time to gather and celebrate the values and freedoms our nation holds dear.”

“We’re honored and very proud to represent the City of Noblesville,” Ship 29 Commander Dave Holloway said. “It’s very special to me. I never thought I’d be doing this. Noblesville is our home and I’m very proud of the city.”

The Hamilton County Navy Club Ship 29 meets every fourth Wednesday of the month at Ginger’s Café, 1111 S. 10th St., Noblesville. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. with the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Annual dues are $25. The Navy Club provides scholarships, assists in hosting patriotic events, and helps veterans get benefits.

“We are open to all veterans,” said Holloway, a 1975 graduate of Noblesville High School and U.S. Navy veteran. “We currently have over 50 members but are always looking for more. Being grand marshal helps provides us exposure. We’re excited to get our faces and name out in front of the community. Hopefully someone might see us and want to learn more about our organization or join.”

This year’s free festivities will take place on Thursday, July 4, with the theme of “Stars and Stripes Forever in Noblesville.” The fun begins at 4 p.m. in downtown. Due to the construction work taking place on State Road 32, this year’s parade route will use Clinton Street so Logan Street can remain open to east-west traffic through downtown.

The parade will begin at the corner of 16th and Harrison streets and will travel south on 16th to Clinton Street; west on Clinton to 9th Street; north on 9th to Monument Street; and east on Monument to 16th Street where it will end.

The free Fireworks Festival sponsored by IDI Composites follows the parade from 6 to 10 p.m. at Forest Park with activities for kids, teens, and adults, food vendors, and more. Kids of America will perform on the Pacers Sports and Entertainment Main Stage from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free trolley rides will be available from Noblesville High School’s parking lot to Forest Park throughout and after the festival. At 10 p.m., the annual fireworks display will begin from the Forest Park Golf Course, sponsored by Midwest Paving, East Bank Apartments, Meijer, and Promenade Trails.

A fireworks viewing area with nearby parking will be available at Federal Hill Commons.