The Newberry Historical Association featured a phosphate mining float and detonated confetti halfway through the parade.
Photo by Lillian Hamman
Key Points
Two-hundred and fifty years of American events, innovations and eras rolled through downtown Newberry on Saturday for the city’s inaugural Fourth of July parade and America 250 celebration.
New England Patriots defensive end Cory Durden returned to his hometown to lead the charge of nearly 40 different floats as grand marshal while kids and adults alike waved American flags and flocked for candy, t-shirts and trinkets.
Floats included City Manager Jordan Marlowe as George Washington, the Gettysburg Address, women’s suffrage, Iwo Jima, classic cars and Teslas, as Mayor Tim Marden and his daughter, Nicole, narrated the stories and organizations each represented.
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Some floats like the phosphate mining float from Newberry Historical Association stopped to pop confetti, and the Shadow Riders, representing Florida Cracker and Wild West history, performed a shootout.
The parade was part three of four events planned for Newberry’s yearslong America 250 celebration, which kicked off in April with a reenactment of the Revolutionary War battles of Lexington and Concord.
Some last-minute storms cleared up just in time Friday night for the city’s fireworks show ahead of Saturday’s parade. During Constitution week in September, staff will redecorate City Hall to look like Independence Hall and provide educational opportunities about the Revolution.
Click here to go behind-the-scenes of Newberry’s semiquincentennial festivities, and enjoy the following parade photos.
Photo by Seth Johnson An Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputy gave high fives to kids ahead of the Newberry Fourth of July Parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson The first floats of the Newberry Parade of 100 American Events and Inventions, with Grand Marshal Cory Durden in the lead vehicle.
Photo by Lillian Hamman Veterans with Newberry’s American Legion Post 149 gathered on a float for the parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson The Newberry Lions Club recreates George Washington’s crossing the Delaware River.
Photo by Seth Johnson The Shadow Riders sit around a poker table to represent old western history.
Photo by Lillian Hamman The parade featured classic cars and a Ford Model T.
Photo by Lillian Hamman The Shadow Riders engaged in a western dual along Newberry Road during the parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson The Newberry Garden Club honored farmers and gardeners throughout America’s 250-year history.
Photo by Lillian Hamman The Milton Lewis Young Marines recreated the iconic raising of a flag over Iwo Jima as their float.
Photo by Lillian Hamman The Milton Lewis Young Marines marched along in the parade with posters of family veterans.
Photo by Seth Johnson The Alachua County Republican Party represented Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address.
Photo by Seth Johnson Residents lined the sides of downtown to watch the Newberry 250 Years of Freedom.
Photo by Lillian Hamman Newberry Mayor Tim Marden and his daughter, Nicole, toss out t-shirts and amp up the crowd at the start of the Newberry Fourth of July Parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson Newberry Commissioner Tony Mazon throws out candy from his UPS vehicle with hot rod flames down the side.
Photo by Seth Johnson Kids line up for candy from parade participants.
Photo by Seth Johnson A Humvee rumbles down the center of downtown Newberry.
Photo by Seth Johnson New England Patriots player Cory Durden served as Grand Marshal of the Newberry Fourth of July Parade.
Photo by Lillian Hamman Newberry Community School Principal Lacy Roberts donned American Revolution gear to portray Betsy Ross.
Photo by Seth Johnson Kids wave and whistle as parade floats come close.
Photo by Lillian Hamman City Manager Jordan Marlowe portrayed George Washington with a cherry tree.
Photo by Seth Johnson A Jurassic Park Jeep arrives at the end of the parade with lots of bubbles.
Photo by Seth Johnson A horse and buggy represented women’s suffrage.
Photo by Lillian Hamman Madalyn Swanson was named Miss Tallahassee.
Photo by Seth Johnson Jenn Garrett flapped through Newberry’s Fourth of July Parade as a Bald Eagle.
Photo by Lillian Hamman The University of Florida Lion Dance Team performed at the Newberry Fourth of July Parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson Bill Beck with the Marine Corp League rides in the Newberry Fourth of July Parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson A member of the Shadow Riders reloads his gun after a western showdown in the middle of the parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson A Lightning McQueen car in the parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson A float by the Newberry Historical Society recalls the phosphate mining boom in the city of Newberry.
Lillian Hamman is a Mainstreet Daily News reporter in Gainesville. She earned a bachelor's degree from Berry College and has worked in podcast production and global news reporting. Lillian is a fan of classic films, maker of all things textiles, and runner of all roads.
Seth Johnson is a Mainstreet Daily News associate editor based in Gainesville. He earned a degree in journalism and mass communication and served as editor-in-chief of his school newspaper. Seth is a bookworm and chess nerd, but he tempers these activities by playing sports and biking.
