It’s been 40 years since a small group of residents on Corsicana Street in Hillsboro gathered for the first Late Bloomers Fourth of July parade, and the tradition will continue in 2024
The secret campaign to select the 40th annual Miss Late Bloomer is ongoing. Once selected, her identity will remain a closely-guarded secret until parade time.
From the meager beginnings with 15 or so people walking from Thompson Street to Pleasant Street, the parade has grown to include hundreds of people, vehicles, floats, horses and more.
The original participants realized that they had to walk back to their cars, so the parade was extended to loop back up Craig Street to Thompson Street. That route is still used today.
Participants are invited to decorate their bicycles, strollers, scooters, lawn mowers, cars, trucks, dogs or themselves and join in the fun.
Spectators are encouraged to stand when “Old Glory” passes by.