Patriots on Parade join Fairfax City Fourth of July celebration

Members of �鶹��Ƶ Nation took part in the City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade on Monday, July 4, 2022, as part of �鶹��Ƶ’s 50th anniversary. Fairfax's parade is one of the largest in Virginia.

Members of �鶹��Ƶ Nation march in the City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

This year’s parade was the first time �鶹��Ƶ had a float, and participants from Athletics included women’s basketball head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis, men’s volleyball head coach Jay Hosack, women’s basketball assistant coaches Demetria Frank, Chandler McCabe and Niki Washington, wrestling assistant coach Camden Ross Eppert, and the Patriot mascot.

Student-athletes from the women’s basketball team and the wrestling team joined Patriot Club members and athletics staff in the parade.

Members of Patriot Nation hold the �鶹��Ƶ 50th banner and walk in the Independence Day Parade — Some of the 150-plus members of �鶹��Ƶ Nation who marched in the parade on July 4. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

Also participating were Green Machine Ensembles Director Michael “Doc Nix” Nickens, the Green Machine Dirty Gold Brass Band, and the Emerald Desire Dancers. �鶹��Ƶ Police also marched.

�鶹��Ƶ 150 faculty, staff, alumni and students participated in the parade.

The previous participation record was in 2019, with about 100 marchers.

�鶹��Ƶ basketball coach Vanessa Blair Lewis and members of the women's basketball team dressed in green �鶹��Ƶ T-shirts on the �鶹��Ƶ float for the Fairfax City July 4 parade — Women's basketball coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis is shown on Athletics' float with basketball players in the City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade on Monday, July 4, 2022. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services.

�鶹��Ƶ Athletics float was selected as this year’s first-place winner of the Mayor and Council Award.

Crowds along the parade route greet the �鶹��Ƶ Athletics Float — Crowds along the parade route greet the �鶹��Ƶ Athletics float. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

Editor's note: Participant numbers have been updated since this story was initially published.

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