Berryville Celebrates with a Big  Parade June 3; Be Part of It

By Cathy Kuehner

photos by Clarke County Historical Association

Parades have marched along Berryville’s Main Street for more than 100 years — maybe longer — but since cameras didn’t exist when the town was founded in 1798, there is no evidence of its earliest parades. However, 2023 is the year to get floats, marching groups, school groups, old cars, firetrucks, and your cameras ready, because the Berryville 225th Anniversary Committee is hosting what it hopes will be the biggest parade the town has ever seen.

The anniversary committee, chaired by John Hudson, has been working since last February to create memorable events to celebrate Berryville’s past, present, and future. A parade has long been part of the planning, and a subcommittee has taken on the task of 
organizing it.

The date — Saturday, June 3 — is a nod to the popular town-wide “Berryville Days” multi-day festivals held each June in the late 1980s and early ’90s. Early June also means elementary, middle, and high school students might represent their classes and clubs with floats or marching units in the parade.

“The Berryville 225 Anniversary Committee is working on a parade that will welcome participants of all ages from all across Clarke County,” Hudson said. “Clarke County loves parades, and the committee believes this parade could be the biggest one ever. Of course, a project this size will require many volunteers.”

When someone says volunteer, Berryville Mayor Jay Arnold is there. He has long helped organize car shows, yard sales, and other community events, and he stepped up to lead the parade sub-committee.

“As a lifelong resident of Berryville, I remember big parades each year when I was growing up,” Arnold said. “Since this is the town’s 225th anniversary year, I’d love to see a great parade on June 3.”

Clarke County clubs, school groups, marching bands, 
vintage vehicles, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and others are invited to be part of the “Berryville Celebrates” parade. There is no entry fee for parade participants 
or spectators.

Berryville anniversary themes and colors (blue and green) are strongly encouraged, but not required. Parade steps off at 2pm rain or shine. Parade begins along Lincoln Avenue, and heads east along Main Street. Because of safety concerns, throwing candy or other items from parade floats or units is prohibited.

Applications are required to participate in the “Berryville Celebrates” parade; the deadline to apply is May 17.

“We hope to see some familiar faces, local and regional dignitaries, floats, bands, firetrucks, and some special entries going along Main Street,” said Arnold, who added, “We also hope to see new entries presented by individuals, businesses, or civic groups that have never been in a 
parade before.”

All parade participants must apply, and parade positions will be assigned. Sponsorship opportunities are available, too, and volunteers will be needed for many different task on 
parade day.

Anyone interested in participating in the parade – or volunteering to help organize it – should contact the Berryville 225th Anniversary parade subcommittee at (540) 313-7467 or info@bvmerchants.com.

After receiving, completing, and returning an application, parade participants will receive confirmation emails with entry numbers, staging location information, route map, and instructions. Take the confirmation email with entry number with you on parade day to show at lineup.

Go for the Parade, 
Stay for the Picnic

Following the “Berryville Celebrates” parade at 2pm, Saturday, June 3, the Berryville 225 Anniversary Committee is planning a community picnic at 3:30pm with live music and food (or you may bring food from your favorite Berryville restaurant). Picnic location to be announced. Free parking for community events is always available in municipal parking lots on South Church Street (near Dollar General) and at the Berryville-Clarke County Government Center on Chalmers Court (near Rose Hill Park). 

To make the parade visible and enjoyable for children of all ages, please do not park along the parade route (Main Street) on Saturday afternoon, June 3.

By Cathy Kuehner

photos by Clarke County Historical Association

Parades have marched along Berryville’s Main Street for more than 100 years — maybe longer — but since cameras didn’t exist when the town was founded in 1798, there is no evidence of its earliest parades. However, 2023 is the year to get floats, marching groups, school groups, old cars, firetrucks, and your cameras ready, because the Berryville 225th Anniversary Committee is hosting what it hopes will be the biggest parade the town has ever seen.

The anniversary committee, chaired by John Hudson, has been working since last February to create memorable events to celebrate Berryville’s past, present, and future. A parade has long been part of the planning, and a subcommittee has taken on the task of 
organizing it.

The date — Saturday, June 3 — is a nod to the popular town-wide “Berryville Days” multi-day festivals held each June in the late 1980s and early ’90s. Early June also means elementary, middle, and high school students might represent their classes and clubs with floats or marching units in the parade.

“The Berryville 225 Anniversary Committee is working on a parade that will welcome participants of all ages from all across Clarke County,” Hudson said. “Clarke County loves parades, and the committee believes this parade could be the biggest one ever. Of course, a project this size will require many volunteers.”

When someone says volunteer, Berryville Mayor Jay Arnold is there. He has long helped organize car shows, yard sales, and other community events, and he stepped up to lead the parade sub-committee.

“As a lifelong resident of Berryville, I remember big parades each year when I was growing up,” Arnold said. “Since this is the town’s 225th anniversary year, I’d love to see a great parade on June 3.”

Clarke County clubs, school groups, marching bands, 
vintage vehicles, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and others are invited to be part of the “Berryville Celebrates” parade. There is no entry fee for parade participants 
or spectators.

Berryville anniversary themes and colors (blue and green) are strongly encouraged, but not required. Parade steps off at 2pm rain or shine. Parade begins along Lincoln Avenue, and heads east along Main Street. Because of safety concerns, throwing candy or other items from parade floats or units is prohibited.

Applications are required to participate in the “Berryville Celebrates” parade; the deadline to apply is May 17.

“We hope to see some familiar faces, local and regional dignitaries, floats, bands, firetrucks, and some special entries going along Main Street,” said Arnold, who added, “We also hope to see new entries presented by individuals, businesses, or civic groups that have never been in a 
parade before.”

All parade participants must apply, and parade positions will be assigned. Sponsorship opportunities are available, too, and volunteers will be needed for many different task on 
parade day.

Anyone interested in participating in the parade – or volunteering to help organize it – should contact the Berryville 225th Anniversary parade subcommittee at (540) 313-7467 or info@bvmerchants.com.

After receiving, completing, and returning an application, parade participants will receive confirmation emails with entry numbers, staging location information, route map, and instructions. Take the confirmation email with entry number with you on parade day to show at lineup.

Go for the Parade, 
Stay for the Picnic

Following the “Berryville Celebrates” parade at 2pm, Saturday, June 3, the Berryville 225 Anniversary Committee is planning a community picnic at 3:30pm with live music and food (or you may bring food from your favorite Berryville restaurant). Picnic location to be announced. Free parking for community events is always available in municipal parking lots on South Church Street (near Dollar General) and at the Berryville-Clarke County Government Center on Chalmers Court (near Rose Hill Park). 

To make the parade visible and enjoyable for children of all ages, please do not park along the parade route (Main Street) on Saturday afternoon, June 3.