4th of July Parade in Columbus

Start Time:
July 4 @ 10am

Start:
4660 Karl Road

End:
5750 Karl Road

The Northland area’s largest social event every year!

8:30 – Parade lineup
9:25 – Last possible moment to register to be in the parade
9:30 – 9:45 Float awards
- $100 Hadler Companies Grand Marshal Award
- $100 SiteInsight Junior Grand Marshal Award
- $100 Oakleaf Village & The Grove NCC President Award
- $100 Zusman Hospice Best in Theme Award
- New for this year, the Chosen Few Vette Club Best Vehicle with their trophy
9:50 – Ruben Minor, US Navy veteran, will sing our national anthem in his dress whites
10:00 – Ribbon cutting ceremony to start the parade

2025 Parade Theme: 249 and Counting!

This theme acknowledges our excitement as we approach the 250th celebration of the founding of the United States of America!

Thank you to our sponsors, friends, participants, spectators and volunteers. Registration and sponsorship for 2025 ends at 9:25am on July 4th!

2024 ribbon cutting — Credit Dave Paul Photography

Pictured in 2024, from left to right, are NCC President Alicia Ward, Grand Marshal Steve Thompson, and Junior Grand Marshal Joshua Momoh.

Participate & Support the Parade

Forms and Payments

Volunteer!

Offered through Columbus Recreation and Parks Department

Be a Parade Monitor

The Northland Community Fourth of July Parade, started in 1962, is the only traditional parade on the 4th of July in Columbus, Ohio!

This parade is a completely volunteer effort which requires hundreds of hours of dedicated work to pull together this annual event. We ask our commercial and political partners to pay a fee each year for the parade which helps support it. The funds pay for the permit, police, insurance, trash pick-up, crowd control, banners, signs, float awards, and the wonderful grants we are able to give to our High School programs. These funds are raised entirely by the volunteers asking for donations. This year we have added an opportunity on the entry form for you to donate to help the parade as well. We ask that you consider donating if you don’t pay a fee and if you do, if you could add an additional donation, that would be very much appreciated.

Finally, if you know of anyone who would be interested in volunteering for the 4th of July Parade – before or during the parade – please have them email chair@northlandparade.org. We have plenty of positions for anyone who wants to volunteer and many hands make light work!

Grand Marshal Alicia Ward

“Change doesn’t happen from the top. It happens when everyday people decide to step in and help.”

Alicia Ward’s commitment to service began almost as soon as she could walk. At the age of two, she accompanied her father to the Old Soldiers Home, bringing smiles and companionship to the veterans. Throughout her childhood, her father’s work took him to over 70 countries around the world, exposing Alicia to a rich tapestry of cultures and igniting a lifelong passion for helping others — especially those facing challenging circumstances.

Before dedicating herself fully to community advocacy, Alicia spent over 20 years in business management, helping several fledgling companies grow into thriving enterprises. In 2009, she transitioned from the business world to devote her energy to serving others through education and community service.

In Columbus, Ohio, Alicia became a cornerstone of community leadership. As President of the Northland Community Council for more than seven years, she helped guide one of the city’s most diverse regions through growth, challenges, and change. From organizing public debates and volunteer banquets to collaborating with city officials on policy improvements, her leadership has left a lasting mark on over 135,000 residents. She also co-founded Elevate Northland, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the community as a whole, with a special focus on empowering immigrant and refugee families through education, entrepreneurship, and cultural celebration.

Alicia’s commitment to education is equally inspiring. She has worked as an academic tutor for more than a decade, helping children, many from immigrant families, overcome barriers and thrive in school. Whether she’s in a classroom, a boardroom, or standing before a crowd, Alicia brings the same passion for equity, empowerment, and excellence. Today, she works helping academically and developmentally challenged students at an elementary school in rural Ohio, continuing that mission in the classroom every day. Through it all, she has remained grounded, guided by a belief in dignity, resilience, and the quiet power of showing up for others.

Serving as Grand Marshal of the 2025 Independence Day Parade is not something Alicia ever expected. She’s grateful for the people who have stood beside her over the years — the neighbors, students, volunteers, and colleagues who cared enough to step in and help. For her, this honor reflects the quiet work of many hands working together to make life a little better for those around them.

Junior Grand Marshal Xavier Toles

Xavier Toles was born on November 8, 2013 in Columbus Ohio. He is the youngest of six, the baby of the family. He currently attends Parkmoor Elementary as a 5th grade student. In his spare time he loves to read, look at recipes we can try, and try to make cool inventions. Xavier is an Academic scholar and always willing to help his peers.

– written by his loving Mother, May 2025

Xavier Toles is a mature fifth grader who excels in his classwork because he is focused, hard-working, and has an incredible desire for learning. I am continually amazed by his knowledge and his ability to share what he knows in such a thoughtful manner. Xavier is a leader, and I only wish I could have the opportunity to see what he chooses to accomplish in his lifetime. What an amazing young man in so many ways. We have surely had the privilege of having Xavier this year at Parkmoor. I know he would make an excellent Junior Grand Marshal since he is such an upstanding young leader in this community.

Dr. Charmaine Campbell
Building Principal
Parkmoor Elementary

National Anthem Singer Ruben Minor

Ruben A. Minor is the President of RAM Consulting Group, an organization that focuses on speaking, training and coaching individuals and groups regarding leadership, team dynamics, relationship building, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and discovering your personal ‘why,” which is essential for individual and group success.

Ruben is a leader who takes great pride in public service, having served his country in the United States Navy for 15 years as a Supply Corp Officer. He is the former President of Council for the Village of Galena and Board President for BST&G Fire Department.

Ruben is very passionate about his fellow veterans and helping them navigate what can be very a difficult journey of transitioning from military service to the private sector as well as managing through complex trauma that affects every facet of their lives! Ruben is involved with StockHands for Healing, a Veteran organization that focuses on veterans suffering from PTSD, and a member of SAW, Save A Warrior, an organization where we focus on the journey of self-discovery and transformation.

Ruben has worked with organization such the Ohio Hospital Association, Guardian Care Services, DEI Consultant for the Simon Kenton Council (The regional council for Boy Scouts of America), and church leaders in Ohio and across the country through coaching and training those groups and individuals to build and nurture a transformative culture.

Ruben enjoys spending time with his family & friends, history, movies, hiking and being a Spinning Instructor at Next Level Fitness in Westerville Ohio.