The annual Campground Community Fourth of July Parade just might be a best-kept secret. But no longer.

The parade will celebrate its ninth year on Saturday and everyone is invited to be a part of the festivities.

Amy Russell, parade coordinator, said the community is making an effort to make this year’s parade the biggest and best ever. And, to do so, they hope to have more entries than ever before and more spectators than ever before.

“Everyone is invited to enter the parade and the entry doesn’t have to be anything fancy,” Russell said. “In the past, we’ve had people ride everything from golf carts to convertibles. Last year, we had a ‘float’ that was a wading pool full of children on a trailer. We just have a lot of fun and invite everybody to join us.”

The parade lineup will be a 9:30 a.m. and the parade will begin at 10 a.m.

“You don’t have to register for the parade, just come and get in line,” Russell said. “This is a very informal and fun parade.”

The parade route is along Turkey Creek Road, which is about 10 miles from Troy off U.S. Highway 29 South. Follow the signs, Russell said.

“The parade will begin and end at Campground United Methodist Church,” Russell said. “We’ll go all the way to Highway 29 and turn around and go back. So, the spectators can see the parade twice, once going and once coming. We’ll be throwing candy and that’s always a lot of fun for the children. We want the Campground Community Fourth of July Parade to be fun for all ages.”

The Campground United Methodist Church will be the gathering place following the parade and everyone will be invited to enjoy hotdogs and watermelon and the fellowship of friends and neighbors.

“For the children, we’ll have two giant water slides,” Russell said. “And, there will be a wading pool for the toddlers. The adults can enjoy watching the kids play and also enjoy the live music played by the church band.”