Photo by Bsivad

Celebrating Independence Day in D.C. means that we get a great fireworks show. But beyond the evening pyrotechnics, a number of celebratory parades take place in the morning. These are the ones worth watching.

Palisades Parade and Picnic: If you can only hit one local July 4 parade, make it the Palisades Parade and Picnic. (It’s in its 46th year.) Proceeding along MacArthur Boulevard from the Whitehaven Parkway to the Palisades Rec Center, the parade features everything from old-time cars and fire trucks to D.C. politicos and Bolivian dance troupes. While the parade kicks off at 11, get to MacArthur early to land a good seat on the sidewalk; don’t let those candy-addicted kids get first crack at all the goodies that parade-goers through out into the crowds.

Barracks Row July 4 Parade: If you live on Capitol Hill, you don’t have to truck it across town for a good parade. Barracks Row plays host to its own parade tomorrow at 10 a.m., proceeding from Eights and I Streets SE up to the Eastern Market Metro station on Pennsylvania Avenue.

National Independence Day Parade: This is the nation’s capital, so it’s only fitting that the National Mall be used as a backdrop for a good July 4. The National Independence Day Parade kicks off at 11:45 a.m. from Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW and heads west to 17th Street.