Shepherdstown WV’s Fourth of July Parade and Picnic

Shepherdstown WV’s annual Fourth of July parade and community picnic is back for 2024!

As always, the parade and picnic will be held on the Fourth itself, which is Thursday this year. Both events will be held rain or shine. Everyone is welcome at both, and admission to both is free.

The parade and picnic have been organized since 2007 by the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown. The goal is to provide wholesome, family-oriented Fourth of July events that everyone can enjoy. If you’re looking for an old-fashioned, small-town Fourth of July celebration, this is it!

The parade will be held starting at 11:00 a.m. on German Street downtown. It will last about an hour. Any area institution, organization, business or individual in good standing is welcome to join in the parade. Floats are encouraged. Antique vehicles are always welcome. There is no fee to participate, but participants must register beforehand. Following is a link that will take you to an online parade information sheet and registration form: https://app.emailmeform.com/builder/form/SN06cY8dr1V0Ac

Once you complete the form, simply hit “send email” and we’ll receive your registration. Or you can contact Rotary Club member Peter Smith at 304-876-1139 or shepherdstownparades@gmail.com.

The picnic will be held right after the parade, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., in the pavilion at Morgan’s Gove Park on Kearneysville Pike (Route 480) just southwest of town. It will feature live music by the Speakeasy Boys and the Gypsy Ramblers. There will also be lots of free children’s activities, including a waterslide, scavenger hunt, a water balloon toss, face painting, and more.

The Rotary Club of Shepherdstown will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and non-alcoholic beverages at reasonable prices. All proceeds from those sales are used to help cover event costs.

Amy & Alex’s Homemade Ice Cream & Coffee will be there too, selling their excellent ice cream. People can bring their own picnic lunches if they prefer.

Plenty of parade parking spaces will be available in the Shepherd University parking lots adjacent to downtown. There is also plenty of room for parking at Morgan’s Grove Park.