The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and run until around noon. It will start at the courthouse on North Erie Street and continue on Route 394 to Chautauqua Lake. Routes 430 and 394 will be closed beginning at 9 a.m.

The last time there was a full parade and festivities was in 2019. In both 2020 and 2021, there were fireworks at 10 p.m. but that was all. Everything is scheduled to return this year.

“It’s great, both economically and also just to get back to that quality of life. Having the parade back is a great feeling,” Mayor Ken Shearer said.

This year’s parade theme is “America: Stronger together.” There are already more than 100 groups that have registered to march.

“With COVID and everything, it was just one of those things that we want — America, stronger together,” said Beth Sacilowski, a member of the Chautauqua County July 4th Committee.

At 9 a.m. before the parade will be judging of fire apparatus and antique/classic cars.

In 2020, there were no activities during the day at Lakeside Park. Last year, there were a handful of vendors, but it was still limited.

This year, everything in the park will return. Activities include face painting, a petting zoo by Mike Morton of Clear Creek Carriages, live music, food, games and raffles. Sacilowski said they have some new vendors as well.

Scheduled events at the park are as follows:

¯ noon will be DJ by Skip.

¯ 1 p.m. will be Injest Comedy, variety and stunt show, featuring Nel Ross at the Community Center.

¯ 2 p.m. will be music by The Gray Brothers Blues Band at Gazebo #3. There will also be Amazing Magic of Mike Baron at the Community Center.

¯ 3 p.m. will again be Injest at the Community Center.

¯ 4 p.m. will again be magic by Mike Baron.

¯ 6 p.m. Good-Eyed Ear will perform at Gazebo #3.

¯ 9:30 p.m. will be the grand prize drawings at the committee tent.

¯ 10 p.m. Skylighters Fireworks will light up the sky with fireworks.

There is no charge for admission or parking. No alcoholic beverages are permitted.

Sacilowski has been on the July 4 committee for 17 years. She is excited to have a full slate of events.

“Welcome back to normalcy,” she said. “That’s what we’re all feeling. Welcome back to the real world.”