Red, white and blue festivities will fill a Far-Northside street Saturday.

This marks the 60th year for residents of 77th Street west of Spring Mill Road to celebrate their independence with a parade.

“It’s the Fourth of July, (so) we have to have a celebration,” said Carol Campbell, who owns the house where the celebration starts with a flag raising and playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at 11 a.m.

The national anthem is followed by a parade filled with costumed kids who decorate their bikes with red, white and blue streamers, flying flags, and wagons and trailers transformed into floats.

Nearly everyone who lives in the neighborhood’s 40 homes and is in town for the holiday participates in July 4 events. That includes five people who grew up in the neighborhood and have come back to live, including Campbell.

Campbell also sent invitations to former residents, and organizers anticipate having more than 150 people at the celebration.

“People really welcome other people here,” said Dennis Campbell, Carol’s husband, who recalls purchasing 350 pounds of ice blocks with Carol’s father in earlier days.

The competitive nature used to come out in the North vs. South softball game that was played on what used to be empty lots before homes were erected.

The close-knit neighborhood is hidden by large trees off Spring Mill Road and doesn’t see a lot of traffic. The location is ideal for parades and for neighbors to gather and even host their own neighborhood watch.

Throughout the 60 years, many of the names and faces have changed, but the celebration is something residents look forward to every year.

“I don’t ever remember getting rained out,” Campbell said.

Grand Marshal Henry Swenson remembers driving his 1951 convertible MG with an umbrella over his head. Swenson leads the parade each year.

This year’s theme is American Heroes from 1949 to 2009. Neighbors will honor two residents, Matt Porter and Breck Schmidlkofer, who are currently serving in Iraq, Campbell said.

Paul Shreve’s father helped start the parade in 1949. He now lives in the house where he grew up.

Shreve hosts the picnic in his yard at the end of the parade route.

At the picnic, kids win prizes for costumes and decorations and also play games. Everyone feasts on burgers, brats and other pitch-in food. Adults and kids dodge splattering eggs during egg toss and try to remain steady on their feet during sack races before dispersing in the early afternoon to enjoy the rest of the holiday.

Visit www.77thstreetindy.com for photos and stories from the past 60 years.