Being lifelong Daytontians and Centerville natives, gives you a strong knowledge and experience with the Americana Festival Parade and Fireworks that happen on July 4th. Food Adventures is here to pass this knowledge off to those of you smart enough to be following DaytonMostMetro.

First of all realize there is an influx of 100,000 people into the Centerville area in a 12 hour time frame. From the parade to the fireworks, that is a lot of holiday celebrators.

Here are some tips to help negotiate through the crowd and have an efficient and enjoyable day.

-HIT BILL’S DONUTS 8:30am (*update as fate would have it 2017 Bills is putting in a new parking lot during the festival and will be closed. but in future years, this applies)
Start the day off right. Get in there while people are just drizzling in. The line will go fast if there is any. Get one of America’s favorite donuts and a milk. You got energy for a couple hours now.

-GET THERE EARLY: This applies to both the PARADE and the FIREWORKS. For the parade, like we said, hit Bill’s first and get over to the parade route about 9am. Throw down your chair, eat your donut and wait for the show. The parade begins at 10am on East Franklin Street, west of Centerville High School, and proceeds West to Cline Elementary on Virginia Avenue. As for the fireworks, which are shot off from Centerville High School Stadium, 500 E. Franklin Street, go about an hour early. In this year’s case, Brass Tracks band is performing at 8:30pm so get there 7:30pm.

-BRING A FOLDING CHAIR:
This is a must. You can sit where you want and not on a dirty curb. You wont have to play musical chairs on a park bench. We just saved your pants from becoming a dirty butt.

Cooking up some chops

-SIT ON THE SIDE OF THE FOOD VENDORS:
Set up camp to watch the parade on the side where the food vendors are. That way if you need a drink, port-a-let or some food you can get some before the parade ends. If not you will have to wait to cross the street until 11:30am. Give yourself an escape option.

-HEAD TO BENHAMS GROVE FOR SOME FOOD VENDORS WITH SMALLER LINES:
As soon as things end, make a beeline to the pretzel booth in the center of town, then walk to Benhams Grove, which is at 166 N Main St. If the lines are short along the way, hit some food vendors. If lines are long, the Benhams Grove vendors usually have short lines early in the day and the area is a beautiful place to eat and drink while visiting with family.

-ACTIVITY CENTER PARK IS THE HEADQUARTERS FOR KIDS ACTIVITIES:

The streets will be lined with food, head to Benhams Grove too !

Got kids? You have to hit the Activity Center Park located between Marions Pizza and a bank building. From bouncy houses, to kids games, water fountain park, and playgrounds, the kids will love this place.
The street fairs goes on until 5pm.

-IF HEADING TO THE STADIUM FOR FIREWORKS, PARK ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE SCHOOL:
Like we said. The band starts at 8:30pm. Get there 7:30pm park on the East Side of the school so when you leave, you have a shorter distance to the exit by hundreds of cars. When the fireworks are over, you’ll be grateful you did.

Hungry Jax with an Amish Soft Pretzel

So there you have it… Get the best out of your Americana Experience ! Do you have some tips to share?
Please put them in the comments below so we can share them with all of our readers!

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