July Fourth celebrations sweep through Zelienople
The Star-Styled Dance Center performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
ZELIENOPLE — The streets of Zelienople were bathed in red, white and blue on Independence Day morning as crowds lined the streets of the small town.
The borough was host to its annual Fourth of July parade and subsequent community day on Friday, July 4. The day kicked off early, with the start of the Firecracker 5K at Zelienople Community Park at 8 a.m.
Later, thousands of onlookers, many adorned in star-spangled apparel, gathered along the side of Main Street before 11 a.m., when the parade began to roll through the streets of town. Fire engines, a mounted posse, live music, tractors and police vehicles were just some of the participants.
In total, the parade stretched until around 12:30 p.m., with dozens upon dozens of vehicles passing by slowly. Some threw candy to children, one threw hot dogs and one even shot T-shirts from a launcher.
Sam Patterson, a resident of Harmony, said he tries to attend as many of Zelienople’s Fourth of July parades as possible since moving to the area a few decades ago. He said he loves the area due to its “small town, country-living” feel.
“I don’t really have a favorite part of the parade,” Patterson said. “I like seeing what new things people decide to bring.”
He had another reason for attending beyond enjoying the parade. His brother was going to be in it and he planned to record him.
“My brother, he’s in the entertainment industry, so he’s bringing a WWE trailer this year,” Patterson said.
Near the end of the parade, a tractor-trailer with a WWE-themed trailer with photos of different wrestlers drove through, honking its horn to spectators.
A Shubrew parade float throws hotdogs to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
But the parade was just another part of a larger community day for the borough. Free swimming was offered at the Zelienople Community Pool between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. while food trucks and raffles were available at the park.
Live musical acts performed throughout the afternoon. Starting at 12:30 p.m., SpinCycle, a Pittsburgh-based band that plays a diverse range of genres, and the Resurrection Band performed at the park.
At 7:30 p.m., the Pittsburgh Philharmonic took over the park with their own sounds.
Then, the day concluded with a display of fireworks around dusk.
Parade attendees collect candy and wave to parade entries along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Christine Border, the owner of The Little Green Bookstore on Zelienople’s Main Street, joined many of the brick-and-mortar establishments on the road in opening their doors during the day’s festivities.
She said she only opened her doors Friday to show support to the community and to give people a nice place to get out of the sun, as the bookstore has a small lounge area.
After the parade ended, the crowds either migrated off to the community park or left to go to their own festivities. Members of the Rotary Club of Zelienople, which organized the parade, jumped into action to begin cleaning up litter and leftover candy off the streets.
Members of the Eerie Acre Farms Haunted House parade float wave to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Steve Schoppe and Neal Jackson were two such Rotarians clearing the road. They said the day went well and there were no issues in the parade.
“It was a huge success,” Schoppe said. “Just looking at the crowd size, I’d say we grew a little this year. It seems to get bigger and bigger each year.”
Despite the amount of work 30 Rotary volunteers had to do to make the parade work, it wasn’t enough to dampen their high spirits and patriotic feeling.
“(Rotary) is about giving back and keeping the community alive,” Jackson said of why he participates.
Schoppe and Jackson said they believe the 2025 rendition of the parade was the largest and longest put on yet. However, they said they hope it continues to grow even more, year after year.
Parade attendees collect candy and wave to parade entries along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A Shubrew parade float throws out hotdogs to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A Shubrew parade float throws out hotdogs to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The Weber Insurance parade entry throws candy to parade attendees during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade along Main Street on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade attendees watch for floats and parade participants to come down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade attendees collect candy and wave to parade entries along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Members of the Graf Custom Construction float throw water balloons at parade attendees during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade entries ride down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A "spinal column" parade entry walks down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade entries ride down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A Shubrew parade float throws out hotdogs to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A tractor parade entry throws candy to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade attendees collect candy and wave to parade entries along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Members of the Eerie Acre Farms Haunted House parade float wave to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade attendees wait for candy to be thrown along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A "spinal column" parade entry walks down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A parade entry waves the American Flag while rolling down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Members of the Graf Custom Construction float throw water balloons at parade attendees during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A Seneca Valley Track and Field parade entry rides down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Members of the Graf Custom Construction float throw water balloons at parade attendees during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A Jeep parade entry rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade attendees wait for candy to be thrown along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Overwatch is provided in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Harmony Fire District waves to parade attendees as one of its fire trucks roll down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A parade entry has a "Never Forgotten" banner on the vehicle as it rides down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Harmony Fire District waves to parade attendees as one of its fire trucks roll down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade attendees watch a Harmony Fire District fire truck roll down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade attendees watch the Boy Scouts carry the American Flag down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Members of the Connoquenessing Valley Community Chest parade entry encourage parade attendees to scan the QR codes they were wearing down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Members of the Connoquenessing Valley Community Chest parade entry encourage parade attendees to scan the QR codes they were wearing down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Zelienople Police ride down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Boy Scouts march down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Zelienople Police ride down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Girl Scouts blow bubbles while walking down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A unicyclist performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Zelienople Police ride down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A string of tractors roll down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
An antique car rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A Butler County SRU unit rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The Star-Styled Dance Center performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The John Burgh Band performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The Mars Dance Team performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The American Legion Riders ride their motorcycles down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The Star-Styled Dance Center performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
An ATV decked out in American Flags rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A Butler County SRU unit rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A Butler County SRU unit rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The Mars Dance Team performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A Graf Construction transfer truck rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The Big Knob Antique Tractor and Equipment float rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Girl Scouts blow bubbles while walking down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The Star-Styled Dance Center performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A string of tractors roll down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Members of the Butler County Sheriff's Department ride horses down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Members of the Butler County Sheriff's Department ride horses down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade attendees collect candy and wave to parade entries along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A Shubrew parade float throws out hotdogs to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A Shubrew parade float throws out hotdogs to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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The Weber Insurance parade entry throws candy to parade attendees during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade along Main Street on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade attendees watch for floats and parade participants to come down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade attendees collect candy and wave to parade entries along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Members of the Graf Custom Construction float throw water balloons at parade attendees during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade entries ride down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A "spinal column" parade entry walks down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade entries ride down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A Shubrew parade float throws out hotdogs to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A tractor parade entry throws candy to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade attendees collect candy and wave to parade entries along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Members of the Eerie Acre Farms Haunted House parade float wave to parade attendees along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade attendees wait for candy to be thrown along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A "spinal column" parade entry walks down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A parade entry waves the American Flag while rolling down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Members of the Graf Custom Construction float throw water balloons at parade attendees during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A Seneca Valley Track and Field parade entry rides down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Members of the Graf Custom Construction float throw water balloons at parade attendees during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A Jeep parade entry rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade attendees wait for candy to be thrown along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Overwatch is provided in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Harmony Fire District waves to parade attendees as one of its fire trucks roll down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A parade entry has a "Never Forgotten" banner on the vehicle as it rides down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Harmony Fire District waves to parade attendees as one of its fire trucks roll down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade attendees watch a Harmony Fire District fire truck roll down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade attendees watch the Boy Scouts carry the American Flag down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Members of the Connoquenessing Valley Community Chest parade entry encourage parade attendees to scan the QR codes they were wearing down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Members of the Connoquenessing Valley Community Chest parade entry encourage parade attendees to scan the QR codes they were wearing down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Zelienople Police ride down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Boy Scouts march down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Zelienople Police ride down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Girl Scouts blow bubbles while walking down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A unicyclist performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Zelienople Police ride down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A string of tractors roll down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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An antique car rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A Butler County SRU unit rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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The Star-Styled Dance Center performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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The John Burgh Band performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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The Mars Dance Team performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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The American Legion Riders ride their motorcycles down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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The Star-Styled Dance Center performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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An ATV decked out in American Flags rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A Butler County SRU unit rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A Butler County SRU unit rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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The Mars Dance Team performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A Graf Construction transfer truck rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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The Big Knob Antique Tractor and Equipment float rolls down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Girl Scouts blow bubbles while walking down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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The Star-Styled Dance Center performs along Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A string of tractors roll down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Members of the Butler County Sheriff's Department ride horses down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Members of the Butler County Sheriff's Department ride horses down Main Street in downtown Zelienople during Zelienople's Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
