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2023 Bellaire Fourth of July Parade and Festival

Maya Harpavat
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Bellaire Little League district 16 champions

Bellaire Little League district 16 champions in the back of a pick-up truck, ready to throw candy during the 2023 parade. 

As cars, floats, and performers line up on South Rice at the early hours of the morning, crowds are already beginning to form along the streets to watch the City of Bellaire’s annual Fourth of July Parade. People from different streets of various ages connect and celebrate together. For some, this is their first time joining, while others have been coming for years. 

One thing remains the same: the excitement to watch the floats, ride bikes and scooters, gather candy, and spend time with family and friends at the annual festival following can be felt by all. 

As this was my second time to cover the Bellaire parade for The Buzz, it was great to see many familiar faces. Watching families throw out candy on floats and ride their bikes reminded me of how excited my younger siblings and I would get to decorate our bikes, almost 10 years ago. 


Georgina Stallings strikes a sassy pose as she celebrates the Fourth of July, all dressed up.

As I was walking down the road and snapping some pictures, I saw Georgina Stallings, who I met two years ago on the same street at the start of the parade. Her parents shared that they had The Buzz article from 2021 framed in their home! Georgina told me that she had gotten her nails painted sparkly red and blue, and was excited to collect candy from the floats. 

The Gidwani family has been coming to the parade for years. Lily Gidwani, the oldest of three, says, “My sister Diya and I have been going to see the parade for eight years now, and it has gotten better each year! My favorite part of the parade is when the antique police car and fire truck drive by. The blaring sirens are the best way to start off the parade.”

Gidwani and Dhruv sisters

Gidwani sisters, Diya and Lily (top, from left) pose with their friends, Mila and Niam Dhruv (bottom, from left) as they watch for their favorite parts of the parade. 

We’re so glad to be part of a community with decade-long traditions and wonderful neighbors. Thanks for a wonderful parade, Bellaire. See you next year!

Happy Fourth of July! 

  • Jones and Pilats families

    The Jones and Pilats families stand in front of their antique car that they will ride in the parade.

  • Royalty dance team

    Royalty dance team members strike a pose, ready to perform in the parade.

  • Scouts

    Fionn holds his troop’s sign, ready to march in the parade.

  •  Emmeline, Annalise, and Benjamin

    Friends Emmeline, Annalise, and Benjamin have the perfect view to watch the parade on their Fourth-of-July themed picnic blanket.

  • Millie Hast, Kevin Bloomer, Sharon Veldman,

    Pictured (from left) are Millie Hast, Kevin Bloomer, and Sharon Veldman.

  • Laura Hill, Desmond Taylor

    Laura Hill and Desmond Taylor relax in lawn chairs, watching the parade pass by.

  • Merritt family

    The Merritt family poses for a quick picture in between collecting candy and waving at floats that pass by.

  • Nicole Faucett, Faye Faucett, Hendricks Faucett, Elliott Faucett,

    From left: Nicole, Faye, Hendricks, and Elliott Faucett. 

  • Robicheaux family

    The Robicheaux family poses for a family picture during the parade. 

  • Maria Ines Fuentes

    Maria Ines Fuentes strikes a pose, as she excitedly collects candy from the floats. 

  • Rao family

    The Rao family all smiles during the parade.

  • Rocio and Camila Salinas

    Rocio and Camila Salinas are all decked out in matching Fourth of July outfits! 

  • Banks sisters

    The Banks sisters take outfits to a new level with matching dresses to celebrate. 

  • Isabelle Brown

    Isabelle Brown poses as the parade passes by.

  • Belllaire Family Eye Care

    Bellaire Family Eye Care float in the parade.

  • Bellaire Belles Dance Team

    Bellaire Belles Dance Team marches in the parade.

  • Scouts

    Scouts walk in the parade.

  • Evalina Hess

    Evalina Hess leads the parade with her car all decked out in decorations.

  • Ivy Jiang

    Ivy Jiang smiles as she watches the parade pass by.

  • Mila Jessen, Ian Jessen,

    Mila and Ian Jessen watch the parade from lawn chairs. 

  • The Rajan family

    The Rajan family watch the parade together.

  • Julian Clark, Miles Clark, Jonah Uzick, Miller Uzick, Effie Sessions, June Sessions, Taylor Bluestone, Sofia Bluestone,

    Julian and Miles Clark, Jonah and Miller Uzick, and Effie and June Sessions; in back: Taylor and Sofia Bluestone.

  • The Hertz family

    The Hertz family watching the prade together.

  • Laura and Jay Beverly

    Laura and Jay Beverly enjoy the parade from their lawn chairs.

  • Maggie Lee, Charlie Lee, vivian Lee,

    Maggie, Charlie, and Vivian Lee have taken coordinating outfits to the next level with their Fourth of July dresses.

  • Knox and Allison Chapman

    Knox and Allison Chapman smile for a quick picture after the parade 

  • Elliot Robbins, Frances Robbins,

    Elliot and Frances Robbins watch the parade with family and friends.

  • Olivia Veld, Mason Veld,

    Olivia and Mason Veld in front of a fire truck. 

  • Allison family

    The Allison family (Joshua, Amy, and Andrew) enjoyed touring the fire department and looking at fire trucks after the parade. 

  • Gavin Frederick

    Gavin Frederick gives the camera a thumbs-up for another great annual parade.

  • Christian Aldama, Samadhi Grant

    Christian Aldama and Samadhi Grant dance to live music at the festival following the parade.

  • Mamta and Rohan

    Mamta and Rohan explore the festival at Bellaire Town Square following the parade.

  • Ayla Sturm, Aida Sturm

    Sisters Ayla and Aida Sturm pose for a picture as they enjoy the festival bubble machine!

  • Olivia Newell

    Olivia Newell might just have the best costume of all with her gorgeous face paint and fourth of july crown!

  • David Michael

    David Michael watches the parade from his stroller. 

  • Charlotte Cole

    Charlotte Cole having an extra sweet day with candy passed out during the parade. 

  • Emily

    Emily smiles, gathering candy from different floats in the parade. 

  • Flynn Johnson, Eva Johnson, Alex Johnson,

    Flynn, Eva, and Alex Johnson enjoying the festivities. 

  • Isabella Munz, Sienna Munz, John Luke Munz

    Isabella, Sienna, and John Luke Munz all smiles in front of a fire truck during the parade. 

  • Jones and Pilats families
  • Royalty dance team
  • Scouts
  •  Emmeline, Annalise, and Benjamin
  • Millie Hast, Kevin Bloomer, Sharon Veldman,
  • Laura Hill, Desmond Taylor
  • Merritt family
  • Nicole Faucett, Faye Faucett, Hendricks Faucett, Elliott Faucett,
  • Robicheaux family
  • Maria Ines Fuentes
  • Rao family
  • Rocio and Camila Salinas
  • Banks sisters
  • Isabelle Brown
  • Belllaire Family Eye Care
  • Bellaire Belles Dance Team
  • Scouts
  • Evalina Hess
  • Ivy Jiang
  • Mila Jessen, Ian Jessen,
  • The Rajan family
  • Julian Clark, Miles Clark, Jonah Uzick, Miller Uzick, Effie Sessions, June Sessions, Taylor Bluestone, Sofia Bluestone,
  • The Hertz family
  • Laura and Jay Beverly
  • Maggie Lee, Charlie Lee, vivian Lee,
  • Knox and Allison Chapman
  • Elliot Robbins, Frances Robbins,
  • Olivia Veld, Mason Veld,
  • Allison family
  • Gavin Frederick
  • Christian Aldama, Samadhi Grant
  • Mamta and Rohan
  • Ayla Sturm, Aida Sturm
  • Olivia Newell
  • David Michael
  • Charlotte Cole
  • Emily
  • Flynn Johnson, Eva Johnson, Alex Johnson,
  • Isabella Munz, Sienna Munz, John Luke Munz

Jones and Pilats families

The Jones and Pilats families stand in front of their antique car that they will ride in the parade.

Royalty dance team

Royalty dance team members strike a pose, ready to perform in the parade.

Scouts

Fionn holds his troop’s sign, ready to march in the parade.

 Emmeline, Annalise, and Benjamin

Friends Emmeline, Annalise, and Benjamin have the perfect view to watch the parade on their Fourth-of-July themed picnic blanket.

Millie Hast, Kevin Bloomer, Sharon Veldman,

Pictured (from left) are Millie Hast, Kevin Bloomer, and Sharon Veldman.

Laura Hill, Desmond Taylor

Laura Hill and Desmond Taylor relax in lawn chairs, watching the parade pass by.

Merritt family

The Merritt family poses for a quick picture in between collecting candy and waving at floats that pass by.

Nicole Faucett, Faye Faucett, Hendricks Faucett, Elliott Faucett,

From left: Nicole, Faye, Hendricks, and Elliott Faucett. 

Robicheaux family

The Robicheaux family poses for a family picture during the parade. 

Maria Ines Fuentes

Maria Ines Fuentes strikes a pose, as she excitedly collects candy from the floats. 

Rao family

The Rao family all smiles during the parade.

Rocio and Camila Salinas

Rocio and Camila Salinas are all decked out in matching Fourth of July outfits! 

Banks sisters

The Banks sisters take outfits to a new level with matching dresses to celebrate. 

Isabelle Brown

Isabelle Brown poses as the parade passes by.

Belllaire Family Eye Care

Bellaire Family Eye Care float in the parade.

Bellaire Belles Dance Team

Bellaire Belles Dance Team marches in the parade.

Scouts

Scouts walk in the parade.

Evalina Hess

Evalina Hess leads the parade with her car all decked out in decorations.

Ivy Jiang

Ivy Jiang smiles as she watches the parade pass by.

Mila Jessen, Ian Jessen,

Mila and Ian Jessen watch the parade from lawn chairs. 

The Rajan family

The Rajan family watch the parade together.

Julian Clark, Miles Clark, Jonah Uzick, Miller Uzick, Effie Sessions, June Sessions, Taylor Bluestone, Sofia Bluestone,

Julian and Miles Clark, Jonah and Miller Uzick, and Effie and June Sessions; in back: Taylor and Sofia Bluestone.

The Hertz family

The Hertz family watching the prade together.

Laura and Jay Beverly

Laura and Jay Beverly enjoy the parade from their lawn chairs.

Maggie Lee, Charlie Lee, vivian Lee,

Maggie, Charlie, and Vivian Lee have taken coordinating outfits to the next level with their Fourth of July dresses.

Knox and Allison Chapman

Knox and Allison Chapman smile for a quick picture after the parade 

Elliot Robbins, Frances Robbins,

Elliot and Frances Robbins watch the parade with family and friends.

Olivia Veld, Mason Veld,

Olivia and Mason Veld in front of a fire truck. 

Allison family

The Allison family (Joshua, Amy, and Andrew) enjoyed touring the fire department and looking at fire trucks after the parade. 

Gavin Frederick

Gavin Frederick gives the camera a thumbs-up for another great annual parade.

Christian Aldama, Samadhi Grant

Christian Aldama and Samadhi Grant dance to live music at the festival following the parade.

Mamta and Rohan

Mamta and Rohan explore the festival at Bellaire Town Square following the parade.

Ayla Sturm, Aida Sturm

Sisters Ayla and Aida Sturm pose for a picture as they enjoy the festival bubble machine!

Olivia Newell

Olivia Newell might just have the best costume of all with her gorgeous face paint and fourth of july crown!

David Michael

David Michael watches the parade from his stroller. 

Charlotte Cole

Charlotte Cole having an extra sweet day with candy passed out during the parade. 

Emily

Emily smiles, gathering candy from different floats in the parade. 

Flynn Johnson, Eva Johnson, Alex Johnson,

Flynn, Eva, and Alex Johnson enjoying the festivities. 

Isabella Munz, Sienna Munz, John Luke Munz

Isabella, Sienna, and John Luke Munz all smiles in front of a fire truck during the parade. 

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