Open Letter Regarding the Future of "We the People 4th of July Celebration Committee"

 June 8, 2021

Fellow Boiseans:

It has been a joy to serve the community for nearly 20 years as coordinators of the annual July 4^th Parade. Coming together in unity to celebrate the freedoms we all enjoy, remembering those who sacrificed their lives that we might have such liberty, and reflecting upon the reality that such freedom is rooted in the abiding God-given rights of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” is a significant part of making true community.

So, it is with mixed emotions that “We the People 4th of July Celebration Committee” announces that we will be unable to continue providing this community service. “We the People 4th of July Celebration Committee” has been primarily a family operation. Family members grow up, get married, start their families, and need to pursue the personal and family dreams that are in their hearts. It is exciting to see these developments in their lives. The challenging times and restrictions of the last year have added to the difficulties of staging this parade beyond our current capacity.

The committee is so very thankful to all the volunteers who have assisted us in planning and putting on the parade. Over the years, dozens upon dozens of faithful individuals from both inside and outside of Boise have taken the time to man barriers, assist at the command tent, carry banners, clean the parade route, gather garbage and recycle bins, push donation barrels, and more. The list of duties they would fill is long and the number who stepped in and fulfilled those duties is far too numerous to list here. You know who you are and we are forever grateful.

Two organizations we do want to particularly identify and express our appreciation for their service are the Boise City Police who volunteered to provide crowd control and security, and REACT who also, on a volunteer basis, provided the needed man-power to properly secure the parade perimeter each year. A heartfelt thank you to both organizations for their faithful and sacrificial service. We additionally want to express our thanks to the Boise City Council and Events Committee for working with us every year to help us put on a successful parade.

Finally. we want to recognize the many businesses, organizations, and individuals of Boise and the surrounding area that participated each year in the parade adding your unique expressions of appreciation for the liberties we all enjoy. And, last, but certainly not least, we want to express our overwhelming appreciation for the tens of thousands of patriotic members of this community that would attend each year to join in the celebration and fun. In many ways, you were the most important part.

The “We the People 4th of July Celebration Committee” in accordance with its by-laws, will appropriately disburse its resources to worthy community service organizations

Rest assured the family and friends of “We the People 4th of July Celebration Committee” will continue to serve Boise and surrounding communities in new and varied ways in the years to come.

Sincerely,

“We the People 4th of July Celebration Committee”

2020 "We the People" Parade Canceled

**Official Statement from the Parade Committee**

Due to the uncertain times and guidelines for large scale public events in the City of Boise, the Committee regrets to announce that the "We the People" 4th of July Parade will not roll through Downtown Boise this year. While the Committee is disappointed to be unable to host this important celebration in 2020, we encourage Boiseans to remember and celebrate the many blessings of Independence with their families and neighbors wherever possible. 

We look forward to celebrating again with all of you in 2021. Happy Independence Day!

2019 Parade Theme

The theme for the 2019 We the People 4th of July Parade is

Keeping the Flame of Freedom

Enter the parade, become a sponsor, volunteer, or join us on Wednesday, July 4th in Downtown Boise to participate in this year's celebration!

Welcome!

This site is where you will find all information about participating in the 2019 4th of July Parade in Boise.

Here is a quick guide to places you may want to visit on our site.

To submit your entry to the parade, click here!
To volunteer for the parade, click here!
And, if you need to drop us a line, click here!

We look forward to having you join us in celebrating our nation's independence.

The parade is scheduled for Thursday, July 4th at 11:00 am.

You have two options to pay for your entry fee. You may mail the check to: We the People, P.O. Box 532, Boise, ID 83701. Or, you may email the appropriate entry fee plus a $3.00 service charge to: boiseparade@gmail.com  

-- We the People July 4th Parade Committee

2018 Parade Theme

The theme for the 2018 We the People 4th of July Parade is

Embrace Independence. Live Local.

Enter the parade, become a sponsor, volunteer, or join us on Wednesday, July 4th in Downtown Boise to participate in this year's celebration!

Mission43 Joins with Boise’s 4th of July Parade as Title Sponsor

Boise, Idaho (June 17, 2016) – Mission43 has stepped forward to be title sponsor for the 2016 We the People Liberty Day Parade in Boise. Independence Day provides an excellent opportunity to recognize those who have given much to our nation through military service, and with Mission43, the 2016 Liberty Day parade in Boise will also spotlight how much more veterans still have for their communities. The title sponsorship also provides secure financial footing for the 2016 parade, which has faced difficulties in recent years due to rising costs.

Mission43 is a partnership of J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation and premiere veteran’s organizations designed to give post-911 veterans from the 43rd state of Idaho the resources for personal growth and the opportunities to contribute in the community. These organizations include Team Rubicon, Team Red White and Blue, and Hire Heroes USA.

By bringing together these world-class organizations, Idaho's post-911 service men and women have the resources and environment to excel professionally, mentally, physically and socially so they can Lead. Learn. Inspire. Learn more at www.mission43.org.

“The parade celebration committee is honored to partner with Mission43 and use the venue of the parade to raise awareness of Mission43’s valuable support for Idaho veterans,” said Committee Spokesperson Jacob Barrett “Mission43 fits perfectly with our 2016 parade theme: Industry and Service, expressing shared values of working hard and giving back to our communities. Veterans supported by Mission43 do and will continue to exemplify these characteristics.”

The 2016 We the People Liberty Day Parade presented by Mission43 will take place on Monday, July 4 at 11am. Entries are currently being accepted online at www.libertydayparade.com or by mail at:

We The People 4th of July Celebration Committee

PO Box 532 Boise, Idaho 83701

2016 Parade Theme

The Theme for the 2016 We the People Liberty Day Parade is:

Industry and Service

Enter the parade now to secure your spot in this community celebration!

Boise’s Annual Liberty Day Parade Threatened By Rising Costs

Boise, Idaho (May 19, 2016) – Boise’s annual 4^th of July parade celebration faces serious financial hurdles as costs of staging and coordinating the parade have risen sharply. The parade has rolled through the streets of downtown Boise for many years, giving young and old alike a chance to remember and celebrate our country’s independence. For the last twenty years, the celebration committee has led a valiant all-volunteer effort to provide the parade to the people of Boise. The celebration committee has never received funding from the City of Boise or any other government. All funds for the parade have come from private donors and nominal entry fees for parade participants.

Through frugal direction, the celebration committee had built a small surplus of funds, but that disappeared when new permit requirements increased traffic control costs nearly 20 times. “We thought we had a good model going, but the drastic rise in costs forced us to question the viability of the parade celebration. No one wants to cancel the parade for even one year, but we need to secure its long-term future as well,” says committee spokesperson Jacob Barrett.

To stage the parade in 2016, the committee must raise nearly $4000 dollars. “The Committee has committed to the parade for 2016, but we need the generous help of any in our community who would like to see this tradition continue,” Barrett says. “We think this is something everyone in Boise can rally to support.”

Anyone who would like to support the parade can send do so thorough the website GoFundMe or send donations to

We The People 4th of July Celebration Committee

PO Box 532 Boise, Idaho 83701

The parade is scheduled for Monday, July 4 at 11am. For more information on how to support the parade or be involved call the Committee at 208-850-7911 or 208-890-0881.