Photo Gallery: Avon Woods 2025 Fourth of July Parade

July 7, 2025

Photo Gallery: Avon Woods 2025 Fourth of July Parade

Streets and front yards in the middle of Avon Woods were teeming with neighbors for the 2025 Avon Woods Fourth of July Parade and Party — estimated to be at least the 30th year of this annual tradition. The crowd gathered in front of Avon School at 9:30am for the kids’ decorations contest and the parade kicked off at 10am with a huge turnout from the Memphis Police Department and a crew of showy classic cars. Neighbors cheered the parade along the way, standing and waving from lawn chairs. Following the parade, kids entertained themselves in an inflatable bouncy house or cooled down in the water hydrant fountain (improvised when the Memphis Fire Department pumper truck was called to fire emergency elsewhere). We were joined by Mr. Joe’s Ice Cream, DonutNV and Hollywood Feed. And what Fourth of July would be complete without grilled hot dogs and cool slices of watermelon?

Winners for best decorated bicycles, tricycles or wagons were: Alice, First Place; Ava, Second Place; and Caroline and Allison, tied for Third Place.

At least eight MPD squad cars and a dozen or more police officers attended this year’s parade, a show of full support led by Colonel Willie Mathena, commanding officer of the MPD Tillman Precinct, recently reorganized to incorporate the Avon Woods neighborhood.

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Volunteers Extraordinaire -- Tim Williams, Derrick Von Stein and Ryan "Torrent" Johnston

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Crowd gathers before the parade.

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The crowd begins to gather...

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An Avon Woods family pledging allegiance during the national anthem.

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Taking a moment to celebrate our freedoms before the parade begins.

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Families pledging allegiance as Kent Stratton of Bugles Across America played the national anthem.

Folks decked out in their Fourth of July finest created a sea of red, white and blue along Avon Road.

The parade of neighbors begins, families with kids of all ages, in strollers, bicycles, scooters and motorized vehicles.

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Paraders march along Avon Road in a sea of red, white and blue.

Memphis Police Department's Tillman Precinct showed up in force with 10-12 officers led by Colonel Willie Mathena there to support.

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A dozen or so officers from MPD's Tillman Precinct attended, led by Colonel Willie Mathena (right).

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MPD's Tillman Precinct showed up in force to support Avon Woods on the Fourth

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Some 10 to 12 officers from MPD Tillman Precinct turned out to support Avon Woods — and we appreciate them!

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A proud dad with his patriotic kids sit curbside in front of the Hollywood Feed canopy

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Golf carts, furry friends, and smiles all around!

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The Dumpster Crusher Truck made a big entrance at the start of the parade!

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ATVs, antique pickups, and bubbles -- oh my!

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If there was a Shiniest Car Award this guy would win hands down!

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Mayor of Avon Woods, Mayor of Avon Woods, was the unofficial winner of best decorated adult vehicle.

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Biker gang assembles before the parade begins

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Crowd gathers before the parade begins

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Red, white and blue bikers ready to begin!

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Bikes were biking!

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Serious cyclist says "Let's get this show on the road!"

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On your mark, get set...

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Family of patriotic bikers all set for the parade!

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A patriot pair ready for the decorations competition!

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Cool kids and American Girl Doll ready to roll!

Golf carts galore were decked out for the Fourth.

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Revving up the golf cart and ready to start the parade!

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Dad with his hands full. But who gets to ride in the sidecar?

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Newlyweds Winston and Emily Merriman, left and right, walked to the parade from their new home on Linda Lane. With them are grandmother Nancy Hart, center right, and Avon Woods matriarch Nikki Fowler, center left.

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Barbara and Lori pose for a pic before the food line begins

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The star-spangled smiles of Lori, Paige and Sally

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Free hot dogs, chips and watermelon slices were a hit after the parade

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Posing with the puppy before the parade begins

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Furry friends joined in the Fourth of July festivities.

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Enjoying a cool slice of watermelon — as the puppy waits his turn

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Red, white and blue, and ready for the water fountain fun to begin!

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Frozen treats from Mr. Joe's Ice Cream Truck were a surefire way to beat the heat.

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Good-looking family decked out in their Avon Woods Fourth of July attire!

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A Fruitt family affair

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Memphis Fire Department volunteered a pumper truck -- until they were called away on emergency

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A fire chief in training sits in the front seat of the MFD pumper truck.

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Frolicking in the fountain made for a cool Fourth for these kids.

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Kids and moms enjoying the water fountain

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Kids playing in the water fountain

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All smiles — no disappointed kids here.

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Cool and cute kiddos loving the Fourth of July fountain.

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With the firetruck called away, the backup plan fountain made sure no one was disappointed.

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Kids cooled down in the water fountain

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Mr. Joe's Ice Cream kept folks cool with his frozen treats.

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The crew that made it happen. Steering Committee and volunteers lined up for a photo as the parade and picnic came to an end.

Thanks to our volunteers

An amazing event like this doesn’t just happen. It takes weeks of planning and a good amount of work from a group of dedicated neighborhood volunteers:

Avon Woods Steering Committee

Derrick Von Stein – orchestration and vendors/volunteers coordination
Amanda Von Stein – orchestration, finances and food service coordination
Ryan “Torrent” Johnston – orchestration, inflatable bouncy house and hot dog grilling
Paige Wallace – orchestration and food service
Mary K. Allen – MPD coordination and Neighborhood Watch integration
Sally Fineup – social media and event announcements
Jay Perdue – website, email and flyer communications

Set-up and Take-down

Michael Scarleski – SPECIAL THANKS for banner installation and removal
Gabriel Adams
Shane Bennett
Kent Hansom
Michael Hecht
Greg Johnson
The Kernans – Rebecca, Rick, Henry and Ferris
Joe Weatherall

Food Service and Grill

Jinna and Brian Bockhold
Lori Hansom
Malcom and Cynthia Pratt
Barbara Rea
Tim Williams

Sound System

Jacob and Michele Buring

National Anthem

Kent Stratton, Bugles Across America

Decorations Contest Judges

Bob and Carolyn Hicks

Event Photography

Lisa Jo Perdue

Flyers Printing

Jeff Lee, Konica Minolta

Flyers Distribution

Jinna Bockhold
Mandy Goetzke
Michael Hecht
Lexie Johnston
Barbara Rea
Ann Wieties