City of Daytona Beach announces Independence Day events.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The City of Daytona Beach announced Monday its schedule of events planned for Independence Day. 

According to a release, there will be a Fourth of July Veterans Parade, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 4, on Main Street in Daytona Beach. The parade will pay tribute to veterans and first responders, organized by the Marine Corps League Daytona. The parade’s lineup will feature nearly 20 local military organizations, as well as combat veterans and the City Police and Fire departments. 

“This Independence Day, we want to honor our heroes. Throughout our country’s history and in the toughest of times, we observe Independence Day and are reminded of the many Americans who make our country great. This is our community’s first Fourth of July parade,” said Mayor Derrick Henry.

The parade will start on Main Street at Atlantic Avenue and travel west to the base of the Main Street Bridge. 

The public can view the parade from the sidewalks along Main Street. 

Motorists should allow for extra time when traveling in the area. Roads affected by the parade include: 

• Beginning at 9 a.m., Main Street will be closed to motorists from Halifax Avenue to Atlantic Avenue. 
• Halifax Avenue, Peninsula Drive, and Atlantic Avenue will remain open until the parade reaches those intersections.

In addition to the parade, a special Fourth of July Veterans Ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. by the Clock Tower between the Boardwalk and the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort off Atlantic Ave.

As part of the ceremony, Mayor Henry will read a proclamation honoring deceased Master Gunnery Sgt. Hobson McLeod-Bethune, who retired from the U.S. Marine Corps. McLeod-Bethune, born in Daytona Beach in 1956, is the grandson of Dr. Mary McLeod-Bethune and served for 28 years with the USMC.

The traditional fireworks spectacular put on by the City of Daytona Beach will be Sunday night, beginning at 9:45 p.m. over the Atlantic Ocean, near the Boardwalk and Daytona Beach Pier.