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ARLINGTON, Texas - Downtown Arlington kicked off the Independence Day celebration with a parade on Saturday morning.
This year marks a double milestone. The city of Arlington is celebrating its 150th anniversary, and America is celebrating its 250th birthday.
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Arlington celebrates 150 years on July 4
The city of Arlington is marking a major milestone this Fourth of July, celebrating a century and a half of history. The city's annual Independence Day is also one of the largest in the country.
What we know:
The Saturday morning parade had a route winding through the University of Texas at Arlington campus and Downtown Dallas.
It featured more than 100 entries, including all the marching bands from the city’s high schools, car clubs, and colorful floats carrying members of local groups and businesses.
About 75,000 people were expected to attend, but organizers said the crowd this year could be larger because of Friday’s World Cup match at Dallas Stadium between Egypt and Australia.
There may be World Cup fans from out of town who decide to experience the morning parade, bringing an added international flavor to the festivities.
The backstory:
This is the 62nd year for the Arlington Independence Day parade.
From its humble beginnings as a bike parade in Randoll Mill Park in 1965, it has grown into a beloved tradition.
It’s now the largest July 4 parade in Texas and one of the largest in the country.
The Source: FOX 4's Dan Godwin gathered information for this story by talking to city leaders.