What Can You Expect at This Year’s 4th of July Parade?

The Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade kicks off Wednesday, July 4, at 10 a..m., at the corner of Lumsden Road and Parsons Avenue, with a grand sweep north on Parsons led by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, followed closely by a unit representative of Brandon’s pioneering families.

“Pioneer Families” is the theme of the 2012 parade, which adds another chapter to the story of the town’s largest community, civic, cultural and patriotic event, which serves as an opportunity as well to present the newly “elected” honorary mayor of Brandon.

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The town’s first mayor, marching in the 1959 parade, was Nat Storms, back in the day when “votes” were cast by how many dollars townspeople paid for goods and services at local small businesses.

In contemporary times, the race is “won” by the candidate who raises the most money for the “candidate’s” sponsoring and designated charities, with fundraisers held throughout the month of June and leading up to the morning of the grand parade.

This year’s candidates are Gay Lynn Love and B. Lee Elam. One of them will be named to succeed Cami Gibertini as honorary mayor.

For a look at what to expect, it’s a good time to look back at the photos and stories of the 2011 Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade. Here’s some links to do just that, posted in the summer of 2011:

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