The parade began in 1985 when Ron and Mary Jo Robertson, new Monroe residents with Dallas roots, decided to recreate the neighborhood parades they had loved in Texas. Mary Jo, an artist, painted the first sign that invited neighbors to join. “It started very small and kind of word of mouth,” recalls retired judge Milton Moore. “People would drive down Pargoud Boulevard, see the sign, and wonder what it was all about.”

Moore remembers the early days fondly. “Originally, it was like no motorized conveyances of any kind, just kids and families walking, riding bikes or pulling wagons,” he said. “It was very grassroots, very real.”

As the parade grew, the Rotary Club of Monroe began to play a larger role in helping manage it. That involvement was formalized under the leadership of the late Dr. Russ Greer, a visionary Rotary president who saw the parade as a meaningful way to celebrate patriotism and community. “He was a real Renaissance man,” Moore said. “He got the Rotary really fired up to take it on as a project, and many of the improvements to the park, including a plaza and benches, came from that vision.”

Another key figure in the parade’s growth was longtime community leader Fred Huenefeld, who helped sustain and energize the event for years. “Fred began the practice of asking local folks to dress up as historical figures, someone significant to the founding of our nation,” Moore said. “I was honored to portray President James Madison one year. It was a lot of fun.”

Today, the parade is organized by Rotary member and local attorney Leah Sumrall, who has led planning for the past decade. One of her fondest memories dates back to 2006, when she brought her newborn daughter in full red, white, and blue attire. “I couldn’t wait to take her,” she said. “Now my kids have grown up with it, just like I did.”

Each year, Sumrall adds something new while keeping the event true to its roots. “We’ve introduced face painting, yard games, tattoos for the kids—but the heart of it stays the same,” she said. “Even with nearly 1,800 people showing up, it still feels like a small-town gathering.”

Everything remains free and community-driven, with watermelon slices, water, popcorn, and even snow cones donated by local residents and civic groups. Emergency vehicles like fire trucks and the OPSO bearcat make appearances, delighting children and parents alike.

More than just a parade, the Triangle Park gathering is a joyful celebration of community, continuity, and country. It’s a tradition proudly preserved by neighbors, volunteers, and the Rotary Club, year after year.