The 2023 – 72nd Potomac River Festival kicks off, beginning on Friday June 9, with the Second Friday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. and the famous Firemen’s Parade beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The route for the Second Friday Art walk is mapped out below:
The events kick off with the famous Firemen’s Parade, sponsored by the Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department. This event is heard across the river in Maryland and is famous for being one of the loudest parades. So bring ear plugs to protect your ears. The parade route usually has clearly marked quiet zones set up along the route. But a couple of balls of cotton or tissue will suffice in a pinch.
The parade routes for both the Firemen’s Parade and The Grand Parade are mapped out below:
The parade begins at 7:30 p.m. On Friday June 9. The parade will begin on Colonial Ave with trucks lined up on Jackson Street and entering at the intersection of Jackson Street and Colonial Avenue. The parade will go down towards the water and turn right onto Washington Ave. The parade will then turn left onto Wilder Ave then circle back to Town Hill, where the judging will take place and the awards will be given out on the Town Stage.
2021 presented the smallest Firemen’s Parade, despite the challenge of Covid and less than ideal weather conditions Colonial Beach still put on an impressive and customarily loud parade.
The Beauty Pageant will take place on Town Stage directly after the parade.
Saturday, June 10, 2023
9:00am-11:00pm – Parade registration (CBHS)
11:00am-12:00pm – Parade line-up
12:00pm – Grand Feature Parade
10:00am-5:00pm – Vendors (Boardwalk)
12:00-4:00pm – Kids Zone (Town Hill with Barrel Rides/Dual Slide, Bounce/Face Painting/Bubble Table)
6:00-9:00pm – Sip-n-Stroll, Street Party (Irving Ave N)
Dark – Fireworks (Town Pier)
On Saturday The Grand Parade starts off the festivities at Noon, signaled by the town Fire Siren. The route begins on Colonial Ave with floats lined up on Jackson Street and entering at the intersection of Jackson Street and Colonial Avenue. The parade will go down towards the water and turn left onto Washington Ave. The parade will then turn left onto Wilder Ave then circle back to Town Hill.
Back on Town Hill, there will be something for everyone including a Kids Zone with barrel rides, dual slide, a bounce house, face painting and bubble table.
There will be a Sip-n-Stroll, Street Party on Irving Ave N for the adults from 6-9 pm.
The evening will wind down after with fireworks, scheduled for after dark (about 9:30 p.m.)
Sunday, June 11, 2023
10:00am-4:00pm – Vendors (Boardwalk)
11:00am-3:00pm – Kids Zone (Town Hill with Barrell Rides/Dual Slide, Bounce/Bubble Table)
1:00pm – Boat Parade
2:00pm – Pet Parade (Town Hill Stage)
Sunday morning is a little more relaxed with events such as Arts, Crafts & Food Vendors on the hill starting at 10am and running until 4pm. The kid zone will be open again.
There will be a Boat Parade on the Potomac River starting at 1 p.m. Boats will enter the River at the mouth of Monroe Bay and travel along the shore to the North Side of Colonial Beach and Circle back at the area where Colonial Ave dead ends at the River.
A Pet Parade will take place on the Town Hill Stage at 2pm.
Download the event schedule as a pdf for printing.
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