BURLESON, YOU MADE THE PARADE AWESOME!
We had a huge crowd and great parade entries to celebrate Independence Day. We hope everyone had a great time!
All sponsorship fees and donations are tax deductible and fund Burleson Lions service projects for the community throughout the year
MEET THE GRAND MARSHAL!!
We are honored to have Byron Black, Burleson Mayor 1998-2004, serve as Grand Marshal for the 21st Independence Day Parade.
Byron Black was born and raised in Johnson County. He and his family moved to Burleson in 1965.
Mr. Black has served Johnson County as a founding member and president of the board of Johnson County Child Advocacy Center and Chair of the Johnson County Central Appraisal District.
Significant accomplishments for the City of Burleson during his tenure as Mayor were initiatives to bring Gateway Station development, restoration of the Interurban Building, expansion of the Burleson Senior Center, the conversion of the Fire Department from volunteer to fulltime status, began development and construction of Hidden Creek Parkway, and recognition of Burleson as a City of Character.
His life of public service also includes: Member Chisholm Trail 100 Board, President Burleson Independent School Board, Med-Star Board, President of Texas Association of School Boards of Texas, President of the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool.
nline registration & information for sponsors and participants:
Details for Participants and Sponsors
2024 Parade
Many more pictures are available at the following:
2024 Independence Day Parade | Flickr
YouTube video Link:
Burleson Lions Club 4th of July Parade 2024
Special thanks to all of our sponsors for enabling our community projects with your support.
Click here to see an updated list of Sponsors
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PARADE AWARD WINNERS!
Antique/Classic Vehicle: Group: Volkswagen Club - Daniel Salazar
Individual: Firehouse Christmas Lights
Business Entry: 1st Pl - Ol South Pancake House
2nd Pl - Mainstay Farm, Park & Winery
3rd Pl - TIE: Burleson Crowley Farmers Markets & HR Construction
Civic/Non-Profit: Pathway Church
Equestrian: N.A.R.C. & S.P - Nat’l Assoc. of Riding Clubs & Sheriff’s Posse
Individual: Pure International Pageant
Club/Multivehicle: TIE: Texas Made Jeep Club & the Moslah Motor Corp.
Military: TIE: Arrowhead Chapter/Military Vehicle Preservation Assoc.
& the 45th Infinitry Division; WWII Living Historians
Pets: Top Dog Texas
School Group: Burleson & Centennial High School FFA
Sport Entry: Coerver Soccer
BEST FLOAT: 1st Place: Pathway Church
2nd Place: Cooter Browns
3rd Place: Ol South Pancake House
1945 2024
GET TO KNOW OUR 2024 PARADE GRAND MARSHAL! WORLD WAR II VETERAN RAY BYRAM!!
Ray was born on June 3rd, 1922. He spent his formative years in the Texas Panhandle.
Ray was drafted into the US Army in November 1942, at the age of 20. He officially entered the Army in January 1943 through the recruiting depot in Lubbock, TX. Ray served in the 782nd Tank Battalion as a Jeep driver for the duration of his military career.
During his training, Ray gained the nickname "Smilin' Jack" from his commanding officers. No amount of punishment would ever make him stop smiling. He always smiled and that's how everyone knew him. Nobody really knew his name, just Smilin' Jack!
Ray trained at Ft. Sill, OK; Camp Campbell, KY; Fort Knox, KY; Camp Cook, CA; and Point Loma, CA; He departed for his overseas duties from Ft. Bragg, NC, through New York City to Le Harve France aboard the USS Henry Gibbons in January 1945. The last thing Ray recalls seeing when he was leaving on the ship was the Statue of Liberty as they left the harbor. The trip to Le Harve, France took 17 days.
Ray's overseas service took him through France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Czechoslovakia during WWII.
Ray returned to the United States through Le Harve, France in June 1945. The return trip only took six days.
Ray was discharged as a Corporal on the 21st of January 1946.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, RAY!!!