The organizers of Afton’s Fourth of July parade and celebration are gearing up for the big event.

The Afton Parade Committee announced on Wednesday that this year’s grand marshal will be Pioneer Press reporter Mary Divine.

The parade, which attracts thousands of spectators, starts at 1 p.m. July 4.

The Afton Schooner Band, one of the parade’s most popular entries, will begin rehearsals June 27.

Musicians of all ages and skill levels are invited to play with the volunteer band, but there’s a special call for drummers and people who play low-brass instruments such as trombones, tubas and euphoniums and baritones, said band organizer Lucy McAllister.

The band will play “John Philip Sousa-type marches” while riding on a decorated float on July 4, said McAllister, 86, who has played the flute in the band since she founded it in 1975.

Rehearsals will be from 7 to 8 p.m. June 17, July 1 and July 3 at the Afton Historical Museum. Participants should bring a music stand.

For more information or to get music to practice in advance, contact McAllister at lucymcallister5@gmail.com.

Afton Fourth of July parade

What: Parade with more than 125 units and Pioneer Press reporter Mary Divine as grand marshal.
When: 1 p.m. July 4. All roads to and from the Old Village will close at 12:45 p.m.
Where: South St. Croix Trail
How to get there: Free trolley rides from the Afton City Hall parking lot to the south end of the Old Village from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (except during the parade). Free off-site parking and free round-trip shuttle rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Lakeland Plaza in Lakeland.
Also: Food, music, children’s activities and a beer tent in Town Square Park before and after the parade.
For more information: aftonparade.com

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