Brentwood's Fourth of July celebration turns 100

It’s a day unlike any other in Brentwood Borough.

The American flag is flying high on the telephone poles and more than 40,000 people line Brownsville Road — more than four times the borough’s population — to celebrate the Fourth of July. They’re decked out in their best red, white and blue.

“It’s the one time of year that everyone in Brentwood gets together to celebrate our independence, but also Brentwood,” said Missy Lenigan, chairperson of the Brentwood 4th of July Committee, which organizes the annual parade and fireworks display.

The Brentwood parade, which runs along Brownsville Road from Sankey Avenue to Brentwood Towne Square at Dewalt Avenue, will start at 10 a.m. on July 4. There are more than 80 units featured in the parade.

Fireworks are held at Brentwood Park at 9:30 p.m.

This year marks 100 years since Brentwood held its first Fourth of July celebration.

Members of the Brentwood Historical Society found a picture from 100 years ago of the then mayor and police chief on a horse celebrating the holiday. That’s the earliest records they have of any celebration of the Fourth of July in Brentwood, said Julie McCarthy, secretary of the 4th of July committee.

McCarthy moved to Brentwood in 1956 at 10 years old. She recalls the parade over the years.

“It was absolutely mindblowing to see a parade come down your main street and all the festivities,” she said.

Looking back, she’s seen photos where Brentwood didn’t even clear parking from the street and cars lined Brownsville while the parade went by.

At 43 years old, Lenigan hasn’t missed a parade her entire life. Families grow up going together to the parade, she said. She recalls going with her grandparents in the late 80s.

Everyone has a special spot where they watch the parade from every year. After the parade, many families and neighbors gather in front yards for picnics.

“It’s a tradition that spans generations,” Lenigan said.

The excitement in the community can be felt for days prior, as chairs start to line Brownsville Road for people to reserve their watch spots.

“It used to be that you did it that morning, then it was the night before, now it might be two days before and you hope it doesn’t rain,” McCarthy said.

Today, the Brentwood parade is a full-scale operation, with the 14 volunteer members on the 4th of July committee doing it all. The Brentwood 4th of July committee’s budget for the day is $35,000, all raised through donations, sponsors and fundraising events.

Main sponsors this year include Spartan Pharmacy, John F. Slater Funeral Home, Brentwood Bank and Coors Light.

This year’s parade grand marshal is the Brentwood Meals on Wheels.

“We really tried to highlight a staple in the community, someone that’s giving back,” Lenigan said. “They’re a community champion. Our community is so small, we like to help each other.”

The parade highlights other Brentwood staples like the library and VFW Post 1810, she said.

Veteran’s groups always are featured in the front.

The Brentwood and Baldwin high school marching bands also partake.

The Shriners and Pittsburgh firefighters memorial pipe band also will be returning.

In a community where the demographics are changing, the parade also will include the Himalyan Foundation USA with roughly 60 Bhutanese and Nepali people marching to the theme of “unity and diversity.”

To celebrate 100 years, Lenigan brought in some new acts, including the Pittsburgh Steeline and the Totally 80s band, that will be performing on the back of a flatbed truck.

The flyover to start the parade will be done by a 75-year-old T6 plane.

Looking back over the last 100 years, members of the 4th of July committee say it’s pretty impressive this has continued — all through the work of volunteers.

“In your community to have this kind of event is pretty remarkable,” McCarthy said.

In Brentwood, there’s an entire week of festivities to celebrate the community from the borough’s 4th annual community day held on June 29 to the Brentwood Street Fair and Battle of the Barrel held on July 3 to the Brentwood Firecracker 5K race held on July 4. Each are sponsored and organized by various organizations, departments and committees.

The Brentwood 4th of July committee oversees the parade and fireworks.