HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A major construction project in Brandon is forcing big changes for the Greater Brandon Action Network’s Fourth of July celebration this year.
Brandon’s Fourth of July Parade and Funfest has been a staple of the community since 1957.
This year, it is getting a new venue.
The parade is happening this year but it’ll look and feel a lot different.
Brandon’s Fourth of July parade is usually a big draw for businesses. It has a very patriotic and hometown feel.
But this year several roads along and around the parade route are torn up with construction and organizers are hoping to transfer that parade energy to the county fairgrounds in Dover.
Jay and Jill Paules are second-generation owners of Campbell’s Dairyland in Brandon, a popular spot if you are looking for a chili dog or ice cream.
The atmosphere and eats are a perfect combination for a Fourth of July Parade, a parade that this year, after almost seven decades, won’t be passing by.
“Kind of gives you that small town feel and we’ve really enjoyed that,” said Jill Paules. “I think it was kind of like a staple of the July here in Brandon.”
The South HIllsborough Water Pipeline Project was a major disruption for the parade route this year. And after briefly considering canceling the parade, organizers said moving it to Hillsborough Fairgrounds would help carry on with the tradition.
It also helps expand the festival after the parade to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Not only will there be the parade, but as soon as it’s over, there’ll be bands, there will be a petting zoo, pony rides, robots, all kinds of exciting things to do,” said Betty Joe Tompkins with the Greater Brandon Action Network.
That robot attraction was on display across Brandon last week as organizers used them to get the word out about the change of venue for the parade and festival.
Despite the change of venue organizers are hoping for an even bigger crowd than usual here at the Hillsborough Fairgrounds. And even though there will not be fireworks at the event, it will wrap up early enough to give people enough time to get to one of the many of the fireworks displays happening across Tampa Bay.