July 4 events canceled

The annual South Belt Fourth of July parade returns again this year, set to take place Thursday, July 4.

This marks the second consecutive year for the event to transpire, following a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers of the 2023 parade said it was one of the best in the event’s 38-year history.

Begun in 1986, this will be the yearly parade’s 34th time to roll through the South Belt community, as the event was rained out in 2018.

Houston District D City Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz will serve as the parade’s grand marshal.

The parade will begin at Beverly Hills Intermediate, located at 11111 Beamer Road. The route will then head north on Beamer to Fuqua, then east to Sabo/Hughes Road, before traveling onto Beamer to the parade’s final destination of San Jacinto College South.

All residents, organizations and businesses are welcome to participate in the event. Participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles and floats, as prizes will be awarded in various categories.

Community and nonprofit groups may sign up for the parade at no charge, unless they wish to be eligible for a prize. A $50 fee is charged for commercial entries. Noncommercial entries may enter the contest for $25.

Entry forms are available on Page 3, southbeltleader.com and the Leader office, located at 11555 Beamer at Beltway 8.

Fireworks display
Once again, there will be no annual South Belt Fourth of July fireworks display held at El Franco Lee Park.

Also once an annual event in the South Belt community, the fireworks display is funded by the annual South Belt Spectacular Cook-off, which has also been canceled the last four years due to county permitting issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.