130th July 4 Veiled Prophet Parade Celebrates The City of St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, June 16, 2007 – This year’s Veiled Prophet Parade will celebrate the City of St. Louis as it winds through downtown St. Louis. A St. Louis family tradition for 130 years, the parade will step off at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July Fourth.

The nation’s most spectacular Independence Day parade will include an appearance by teen rock/pop band Everlife, giant helium balloons, elaborate custom-built floats, and a $10,000 competition among high school marching bands.

“The Veiled Prophet parade has provided St. Louis with excitement for 130 years,” said Jim Howe, grand marshal of the Veiled Prophet Parade.

“This year, we take pride in honoring our hometown as well as continuing our tradition of magnificent family entertainment,” Howe said.

The honorary grand marshal of this year’s parade is Fire Chief Sherman George, in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the St. Louis Fire Department – the sesquicentennial of the department’s founding in 1857.

George became the first African-American to lead the St. Louis Fire Department when he was named fire chief in 1999. He joined the department in 1967 after serving two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Army’s 1st Air Cavalry Division. George will celebrate his 40th year of fire service in December.
Parade Route

The parade begins at Fourth Street and Washington Ave. in downtown St. Louis at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4. The grand march will continue south on Fourth Street and west on Market to end at 20th Street. The final units will arrive at Market and 20th street a little before noon.

Spectacular Floats

Floats for the parade are designed and built every year by a staff of professional artists and craftsmen in one of the nation’s largest operations of its kind, supported by the Veiled Prophet organization.

The floats will be decorated with more than 1,000 live flowers and plants, chosen from award-winning varieties and designed and executed by St. Louis County Parks Horticulturist Doug Wolter and a group of volunteer master gardeners.

The floats also will feature a display of rare and exotic birds and animals, provided and escorted by naturalists from the World Bird Sanctuary in west St. Louis County.

Band Competition

The parade also features some of the best high school marching bands from throughout the Midwest, competing for prizes totaling $10,000.

Parade Sponsor

The first Veiled Prophet Parade took place on October 8th, 1878, and was sponsored by the Veiled Prophet Organization, a group of businessmen who wanted to promote St. Louis.
Today’s imaginative and colorful floats are conceived and created by artists and craftsmen employed by the Veiled Prophet Organization, one of the world’s most elaborate float–building operations.

Disability Access Assistance

A special viewing area again will be provided for spectators with special needs or disabilities. It will be located at the corner of 8th Street and Market, in front of the MetLife Insurance Building

For additional, up-to-the-minute information, visit www.vpparade.org or contact Thomas Cooke, Public Relations Chair at 314-378-7800.