Independence Day parade participants entertain about 10,000 attendees each year at the Park Hill event. Photo courtesy of Park Hill Parade/2016

Alison and Justin Bresler at the Park Hill 4th of July Parade in 2014. Photo courtesy of the Breslers

For several  years, Justin and Alison Bresler drove 15 hours from Denver to the Chicago suburb of Evanston each July to experience their hometown Independence Day parade in all its red, white, and blue glory. But the cherished summer ritual became exhausting with three small children in tow.

The Breslers’ solution: start a parade in their neighborhood of Park Hill.

“Many of our Denver friends would leave town for the holiday because there wasn’t much happening locally,” Alison recalled. “One day Justin said, ‘Let’s bring the parade here.’”

Fifteen years later, their efforts to create “a little joy for our kids and (strengthen) the sense of community right outside our doors” have grown into a beloved Denver celebration. More than 1,000 people participate annually in the Park Hill Independence Day parade, and about 10,000 spectators regularly attend. The parade includes floats, marching bands, costumed performers, and the Westernaires mounted precision team.

The Breslers’ first attempt at a Fourth of July parade was simple: they invited neighborhood kids to decorate their bikes, and families walked or cycled for a few blocks with flags held high, streamers flying, and the enthusiastic trilling of bicycle bells. The following year, 2010, was the kickoff of the parade as it exists today. The Bresler family constructed floats with neighbors and recruited friends to volunteer as parade marshals. A professional organizer in her day job, Alison handled registration, and Justin, the chief marketing officer of Visit Denver, finalized sponsorships from local businesses.

The Breslers knew they “were making something meaningful” when, on the evening of July 3, Justin spotted blankets and chairs serving as placeholders along the parade route. He said, “People were counting on us.”

Since then, “what started as a fun celebration has turned into a real community-building event,” he continued. “People show up with their picnics and coolers, and parties keep going after the parade.” Added Alison, “Without question, the best part of the parade is the community. Whether you’re marching, volunteering, or just cheering from the curb, the shared joy is what it’s all about.”

The Westernaires mounted precision team. Photo by Brent Andeck/2019

The parade is entirely volunteer run, with the Breslers’ children stepping into lead roles over time. “My kids learned to drive the parade golf carts,” Justin said. “We’re out early, setting up garbage cans and checking on the road barriers.”

The Breslers’ neighbor Charles Newcomb has helped turn Justin’s parade visions into reality for over a decade. He rents supplies, plans parking, and is constantly asking, “How do we keep this many people safe?” He noted, “We’ve learned by doing. For example, we’ve learned not to throw candy because that brings kids too close to the vehicles and horses.” The treats are now handed to the kids.

Dance troop performing at the parade. Photo by Brent Andeck/2019

Safety was the primary concern in 2022, when the Breslers nearly canceled the parade within minutes of start time. That morning, Justin and Alison learned that a mass shooting had occurred at a parade not far from their hometown of Evanston. Seven people were killed. “I’ll never forget gathering the volunteers in a circle to share what had happened,” Alison said. “It was especially difficult telling our teen volunteers—kids who had already endured so much between Covid and the rise in school shootings.” The Denver Police doubled their presence, and every volunteer chose to stay.

Captain America on his motorcycle. Photo by Brent Andeck/2019

“That moment really underscored the strength and compassion of this community,” Alison said. “Moments like that remind me why the parade matters. It’s more than just a fun event—it’s a symbol of resilience, unity, and hope.”

The 2025 Park Hill Independence Day parade will kick off at 1:30pm on July 4. Visit parkhillparade.com for a route map.