Brit Mott with Mike Newman

A foggy morning turned festive as the Plano Independence Day Parade marched through the city. Hosted by the Plano Early Lion's Club and themed "Celebrating Freedom–Texas Style," the parade began at Plano Senior High School and moved north on Independence Parkway to Spring Creek Parkway, ending at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Onlookers along the route cheered on church groups, Scouts, nonprofit organizations, business leaders, and local dignitaries.

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At the end of the parade, an awards ceremony recognized the most creative entries:

Grand Marshall Award
VFW Post 4380 and American Legion Post 321

Best Use of Theme
Narrow Trail Cowboy Church

Best Float
Heritage Farmstead Museum

Best Musical Entry
Re-elect John Payton “JP for JP” for Justice of the Peace

The Plano Independence Day Parade began around 30 years ago by the Plano Business and Professional Women (BPW), who traditionally marched a briefcase brigade. Parents pulled their children in decorated wagons, and other children rode their bicycles decorated with crepe paper and American flags. In the late ‘90s, the high cost of liability insurance and the need for police assistance forced the BPW to hand the parade over to the City. The City of Plano ran the parade for a couple of years and almost canceled the event, until community volunteers banned together to keep it alive.

The 2010 parade was the fifth parade sponsored by the Plano Early Lions Club, who plan to continue the tradition for years to come.