Town of Hudson hosts 51st annual kiddie car parade

Dawn Fleming, News-Topic, Lenoir, N.C.
·2 min read

Jun. 20—HUDSON — The town of Hudson Parks and Recreation Department, along with the Hudson Police Department, are hosting the town's 51st annual "Kiddie Car Parade" and a bicycle safety fair.

"I would like to invite everyone to decorate their favorite bicycle, wagon, pedal car or power wheels car in red, white and blue and come out for Hudson's annual Kiddie Car Parade on July 4, 2022," said Chief Richard Blevins, Hudson Police Department. "The parade takes us back to a time when small towns stopped and gathered to celebrate the gift of freedom and show their pride in America."

The parade will be Monday, July 4. It will start at the Hudson Uptown Building (HUB) located at 145 Cedar Valley Rd. in Hudson.

Participants may start lining up at the HUB at 9:30 a.m. The police escorted parade will depart the HUB station at 10 a.m., then travel west on Cedar Valley Road. From Cedar Valley Rd, the parade will move north along Main Street. From Main Street, the parade will travel east on Mount Herman Road. From Mount Herman, the parade will turn onto Outdura Drive, then end at the Redwood Park on Redwood Street in Hudson at approximately 11 a.m.

There is no age limit to participate. The kiddie car parade is limited to only pedal, foot or battery powered vehicles. Petroleum powered vehicles, horses, or other types of animal transport are not allowed.

The parade is held to celebrate the 4th of July, to promote patriotism, and show pride in America.

Following the parade, participants can line up for a photoshoot, grab a hotdog, drink and chips then gear up to participate in the bicycle safety fair.

The bicycle safety fair will be held at Redwood Park on Redwood Street and will begin at 11 a.m. During the safety fair, participants can navigate through a police designed bicycle obstacle course to learn how to apply the rules of bike safety, like traversing intersections.

To promote bike safety, the police department will be handing out bike helmets which was made possible by a grant provided through the N.C. Department of Public Safety.

Parade participants may register for a chance to win a bicycle, which has been made possible through individual and business donations. Individuals or businesses who would like to donate a bike to be given away during the bike safety fair may contact the Hudson Police Department or the Hudson Parks and Recreation Department.

Following the parade and bicycle safety fair, the Hudson Parks and Recreation Department will open the Redwood Park pool. Parade participants may swim for free from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.