This year, Harrisonburg’s 4th of July parade, sponsored by Union Bank & Trust, celebrated the “rich diversity of our community and welcoming nature of the Friendly City” with the theme, “Many People, One Community.”
Parade organizers named the Bikes for Refugees program as the parade’s grand marshals. The program enables refugees to gain access to transportation to work and around town through donated bicycles. The partnership between CWS Refugee Resettlement and the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition highlights the welcoming and supportive nature of our community to our new neighbors.
CWS Refugee Resettlement was also featured in the parade, with nearly 50 of our refugees, representing 8 countries, marching down Main Street, waving to the crowds. They celebrated their heritage by waving flags from their home countries such as Congo and Sudan, while also proudly waving American flags, a sign of their future.
They were welcomed with warmth and applause as they walked down Main Street. Following the parade, the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance awarded the “Community Spirit Award” to CWS Refugee Resettlement.
To see more pictures from the parade, click HERE.