Hildebrand will serve as grand marshal
Hildebrand was nominated by Dan Shine, who wrote in his recommendation: “Pete has to be one of the oldest residents in Southport. He and his family have lived here since 1949. His father, Oral, was on the Town Board in the 1960s. Pete has served on the Parks Board; he was Santa Claus; and he has volunteered for several different civic events through the years, including our car shows. He has always been loyal to Southport. As a young boy I always looked up to Pete as a protector. We can’t wait to see Pete in the front line of the parade.”
An Independence Day service will start at 11:45 a.m. at Southport Park, 6901 Derbyshire Road, and it will be followed by a party to celebrate the nation’s 240th birthday.
In addition to free hot dogs and cake and ice cream being served to the first 700 people, there will be games and dance lessons showcasing steps that were popular in Indiana in the 1800s.