07/03/2026
Hi Everyone!
We are so excited to have your family representing All About Dance! by Kristen in the 2026 Stow 4th of July Parade! This year's parade theme is "The Circus", and we have the honor of representing Mayor Pribonic and the new AMP (Stow Amphitheater). We can't wait to fill the streets with color, energy, and AAD spirit!
Parade Day Information
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Arrival Time: 7:45 AM. (Please arrive no later than 8:00 AM)
Where to Meet
Please park (or be dropped off) in the Hobby Lobby parking lot. Our AAD representative, Kasey Jones, will be waiting near Dollar Tree to gather our group.
At 8:00 AM, we will walk together to the Target parking lot, where our parade unit will be staged on AMP Performers Float B2.
What Should My Dancer Wear?
We want our float to be bright, colorful, and full of circus fun!
Wear your brightest neon or sparkly recital costume. Think the vibrant colors from our Rio de Janeiro production or anything similar.
Hair should be securely pulled back and out of the face.
Apply sunscreen before arriving.
Wear white tennis shoes that are comfortable for walking and standing.
Dancers Ages 8 & Under
Our younger dancers will be sitting on the 40-foot flatbed float, waving to all of their "fans!"
We'd love for them to look like adorable circus animals while wearing their bright neon costumes. Animal ears, whiskers, painted noses, or other fun accessories are encouraged!]
Dancers Ages 9 & Older
Our older dancers will also be riding on the float. Throughout the parade, they may be standing, waving to the crowd, and performing simple arm choreography. Some dancers may also step on and off the float to perform acrobatic skills along the parade route.
Please remember that our older dancers are also part of the circus theme! Wear your brightest neon or sparkly costume and have fun creating your own circus-inspired look. Whether you choose to be a ringmaster, performer, clown, acrobat, or another colorful circus character, your costume should reflect the circus theme while keeping the bright, energetic look of our Rio de Janeiro scene in the recital!
All dancers ages 9 and older should attend our Parade Choreography Practice on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 6:45 PM at All About Dance!. We'll spend a short time learning the arm choreography and reviewing parade day expectations.
Acro Dancers: If your dancer will be performing acrobatic skills on the pavement, please bring a pair of sturdy gloves (garden gloves work great!) to help protect their hands.
Staying Cool & Safe
It's looking like this year's parade will be a **HOT ONE! Please help your dancer stay cool by:
Bringing a filled water bottle labeled with your child's name.
Applying sunscreen before leaving home.
We will also have coolers with ice and extra water available on the float.
Parents Walking in the Parade
If you'd still like to join us as a parade walker, we'd love your help! Please use the sign-up link below to register. Kristen will talk to you about where to meet for the parade and leave your car.
Parent Volunteer / Dancers Parade Sign-Up:
Walkers will help hand out All About Dance promotional materials while accompanying our float!
Since we're celebrating the circus, have fun with it! Think colorful circus-inspired attire—a ringmaster, strongman, bearded lady, clown, or any fun circus character. Just remember to dress comfortably and keep the weather in mind. (Ha Ha Ha, this is per Mayor Pribonic!)
End of the Parade & Dancer Pick-Up
Our parade route ends near Holy Family Church. Because of parade traffic, our float will not be permitted to stop on Kent Road.
Instead, we will continue onto Englewood Drive, where we will make one quick stop to unload our dancers. Since we are one of the first parade units, we expect to finish relatively early.
Parents: Please make your way to Englewood Drive and gather with other AAD families. We will only have a brief opportunity to unload, so please be ready to quickly meet your dancer and move your vehicle once your child has been picked up.
Parents walking in the parade: Kristen will review parking and end-of-route instructions with all walkers at the conclusion of our parade practice on Wednesday, July 1 (approximately 7:45 PM).
Additional Parade Information
For additional information regarding the City of Stow's parade, including the parade route and general event details, please visit the following link:
City of Stow Parade Information: (Click Link Here)
Final Reminders
Please arrive on time so we can get everyone organized before the parade begins.
Follow the directions of our parade volunteers throughout the event.
Most importantly...have fun! Be so very proud to represent All About Dance! by Kristen, Mayor Pribonic, and the new AMP, and we know our dancers are going to make our community proud!
We can't wait to celebrate the 4th of July with all of you! See some of you this Wednesday and ALL of you Saturday! Whew!!:)
