Celebrating Red, White & Blue with TU

By Sean Welsh on July 4, 2018

As we paused to celebrate our nation’s birthday, members of the Towson University community took part in some quintessential Americana just a few steps from campus.

TU students, alumni and Doc participated in the Towson Fourth of July parade as the community celebrates Independence Day.

Nancy Hafford, executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, said the community’s celebration of Independence Day is more than 120 years old. But it almost folded about three years ago before the Chamber — and other community institutions — got behind the event.

“We’re very thankful that Towson has been supportive by not just bringing great floats, bands and athletes, but they’ve been a financial supporter of this great community event,” Hafford said. “Towson University and some other of our bigger sponsors stepped in and they literally saved this community event.”

The Independence Day celebration began early, with an 8:15 a.m. run called “The 4 on the 4th Race.”

Aside from the TU band, the parade featured Baltimore’s Marching Ravens and the Calvert Hall band.

The weather took part, too — offering parade-goers some sun, but a slight break from the high-90s of days prior — as participants marched from Towsontown Boulevard and Bosley Avenue, traveling down Bosley to Allegheny and Washington avenues.

Hafford estimated more than 60,000 people would attend the parade this year.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel's priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland and Culture of Philanthropy.