The oldest parade of American July 4 returns to Bristol for the 240th celebration

A coastal city in New England known for welcoming the oldest parade of the independence day once again resumes the festivities this year for its 240th anniversary.

The city of Bristol, Rhode Island, began to organize celebrations in 1785.

The Reverend Henry Wight of the first congregation church, a revolutionary veteran, led the first known patriotic exercises, according to the parade website.

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It is believed that the festivities have evolved from a procession of community members walking towards patriotic exercises.

In the early 1800s, a more formal parade was formed, including the military, civic and firefighter parade, said the same website.

The coastal city of Bristol, Rhode Island, continues its tradition as older parade of the American independence day. (Förger / Ultlstein Bild via Getty Images)

The parade has its own “city crier” that announces, “listen, listen, listen to yourself”.

“Michael Rielly, who took office as a city crier on June 14, 2015, during our flag day ceremony on the common city,” said the website.

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“Michael’s grandfather, James D. Rielly, sounded the bell for 15 years, retired in 1989. You will see Michael during the events of July 4 and in front of the soldiers, the civics and the firefighters of the parade ring his bell.”

The tradition of the Bristol parade has evolved members of the community walking towards patriotic exercises led by a veteran of the revolutionary war. (AP photo / David Goldman)

The seaside town leaves at the start of the celebrations on the flag day on June 14.

The weeks preceding the day of independence are filled with various events such as a competition competition, a field day, a carnival, concerts, etc.

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Each year, there is a parade float competition with prices for the most patriotic, the most beautiful and the most original.

From the early 1900s, the US Navy sent a ship to Bristol for a week during the fourth.

The oldest parade of American July 4 returns to Bristol for the 240th celebration. (AP photo / David Goldman)

The ship visiting this year is the USS Billings (LCS-5), which is a coastal combat ship operating under the 4th American fleet.

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The festivities end on July 4 with a military, civic parade and a 2.5 mile firefighter.

Fox News Digital contacted the parade organizers to comment.