The City of Prattville has announced that this year’s 4th of July Parade theme is “Hometown Heroes.” In appreciation for his service, Colonel Harold Howell will serve as Grand Marshal at the Independence Day Parade, on Monday, July 4th. Colonel Howell was a Torpedoman 3rd Class on the USS Wilson and USS Gregory in the Navy during WWII.
He survived two kamikaze attacks and was awarded the Purple Heart. When World War II ended, he lived in San Francisco with his wife and finished his undergraduate studies. He later moved to Tuscaloosa to obtain a law degree. After receiving his law degree, he moved to Birmingham and worked until enlisting with the Air Force as a staff judge advocate.
Colonel Howell was in the Navy for three years, the Air National Guard for five years and had a 20-year career in the Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force as a Staff Judge Advocate Civil Air Patrol in Montgomery, he moved to Prattville and joined his son’s law practice Howell Sarto and Howell. He currently lives in Prattville and turned 100 years old in January of this year.
The parade will end at Pratt Park where the Lions Club will have barbeque, arts and crafts and live music by the Jukebox Allstars until 2:00. The much anticipated “Cardboard Boat Races” will return this year. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., teams will create their competition boats out of cardboard and duct tape. Prizes include: Longest floating boat, the Titanic award for most dramatic sink, most creative and more. The Pratt Pool and Splash Pad will also be open for more family fun.
The grand finale of the day will be a magnificent fireworks display. The fireworks will be launched at 9pm from the Clock Tower off Highway 82 at Legends Circle. There will be ample parking in the surrounding parking lots of the Prattville Town Center (Target), The Cotton Exchange (Hobby Lobby), and High Point (Belk/JC Penney) shopping areas. Find your space and enjoy the fireworks as they light up the night sky.
For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 334-595-0850
