Hillsboro prepares for The July 4th Late Bloomer parade in our historic residential district. Here’s the map, start times, and last year’s photos

Our annual July 4th Late Bloomer Parade begins Friday morning, 7.4.2025 at 10:00 am in the historic residential district of Hillsboro.

Surrounded by shaded beautiful homes, this annual parade does not require registration, and is one of the glorious traditions of Hillsboro.

Start getting those decorations, candy, and outfit ideas ready, and JOIN US.

Credit: Sheri Hemrick photography

Hillsboro, Texas

It’s a long tradition, a wonderful story, and a great show of what “hometown Texas” really is.

The Corsicana Street Late Bloomers Association finally held their annual February meeting in June, and they can now announce that Friday, July 4, will be the 41st year of the parade they organize.

The group began meeting in about 1983 as they would gather on each other’s front porches on Sunday afternoons. These friends all lived in old houses built from 1890 to about 1925. Discussions would be held concerning maintenance, repair, renovations and historic preservation of their historic homes.

The Late Bloomers were sitting on Jack and Dorothy’s back porch on Sunday, June 30, 1985, when someone said it was a shame that the city didn’t do anything special on the Fourth of July. So, it was decided to have a parade – four days later. Fran Haigh was the first Miss Late Bloomer and kept that title the following year.

There were 13 people in the parade, which started at the corner of Thompson and Corsicana streets and ended at Pleasant Street. Following the parade, all had to walk back to get their cars. Every year since, the route has returned on Craig Street back to the start.

Thirty-nine gracious Hillsboro ladies have been named Miss Late Bloomer. Their average age is around 80. Like the historic homes, they prove that age is not an impediment to beauty and importance. Originally, the ladies had to live or have lived on Corsicana Street, but, over time, the requirement broadened to include Craig Street and eventually the entire Historic District.

The only other criteria: joie de vivre, joy of life.

The Corsicana Street Late Bloomers encourage all “Former Blooms” to ride in the parade this year. They look forward to all former parade participants joining the parade with children and grandchildren. They also challenge residences throughout the city, but especially on the parade route, to decorate with red, white and blue in a big way.

All are invited to walk, ride, play, perform, watch and enjoy.

Thank you The Reporter Newspaper/KHBR 1560 Radio for the story in your June 12th 2025 edition. https://hillsbororeporter.com/late-bloomers-slowly…

Questions? Please call the Hillsboro Texas Area Chamber of Commerce at 254-582-2481

See our Flickr photo album of past parades below (push the right arrow to scroll through the photos)

You can see all our photo albums here https://www.flickr.com/photos/hillsborotx/albums/