The South Side Irish Parade, an annual St. Patrick's Day tradition in Beverly and Morgan Park since 1979, drew over 10,000 marchers and 200,000 spectators this year. The parade, which briefly stopped from 2009 to 2011 due to safety concerns, has become one of the largest neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day celebrations outside of Dublin. It serves as a reunion for people from different parts of the city and fosters family parties and get-togethers throughout the area.
Thousands of people attended the annual Dia de los Muertos festival in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood, making it the second largest celebration of its kind in California. The event featured over 250 vendors offering food, art, and business products, as well as family-friendly activities such as soccer games, a Lowrider car show, and music and dance performances. The festival showcased nearly 30 large altars adorned with marigolds, skull decorations, and colorful Mexican banners, honoring loved ones who have passed away. Participants emphasized the importance of keeping the tradition alive and remembering their loved ones.
The Moxie Festival in Maine began with various activities, including a Moxie-themed parade, as part of the community's annual celebration of the unique soda.
Neighborhoods in Austin, including Allandale, Northwest Hills, Shady Hollow, and Tarrytown, organized patriotic parades and celebrations to commemorate the Fourth of July holiday. The events brought communities together, fostering a sense of unity and allowing neighbors to celebrate being Americans.
A firework accidentally landed in a crowd during a Fourth of July celebration in Allegan, Michigan, causing panic and resulting in a handful of minor injuries. The city officials have expressed their commitment to improving safety measures for future events. Video footage shows people running and yelling as the firework exploded into the crowd. Allegan police have not released further details about the incident.
A Community Celebration of Life for Houston rap legend Big Pokey, who passed away last Sunday, will be held at Houston City Hall on Sunday at 6 p.m. The event will be free to the public and will feature food trucks, music by DJ Big Tho, and a presentation. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
