2025 Parade Theme

MANDAN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

PRESENTED BY EIDE AUTOMOTIVE

"CELEBRATING AMERICA'S

PAST TIMES"

144TH MANDAN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE GRAND MARSHAL

MANDAN, ND — The Mandan Progress Organization is proud to announce that the USA Patriots Kids Campers will serve as the Grand Marshal of the 144th Annual Mandan Independence Day Parade, taking place Friday, July 4, 2025. This year’s parade theme, “Celebrating America’s Past Times,” is a perfect match for a group that embodies the spirit of determination, resilience, and the unifying power of sport.

The USA Patriots, formerly known as the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, have been a beacon of inspiration since 2011. Founded to support wounded veterans through the sport of softball, the organization has grown to include a variety of impactful programs—including its Kids Camp, where young amputees from across the country are mentored and coached by veteran amputee athletes.

The USA Patriots will be in the Bismarck-Mandan community as part of their participation in the McQuade Softball Tournament, and Mandan is honored to have them lead the parade as our special guests.

“We are incredibly honored for our Kids Campers to serve as Grand Marshal of the Mandan Independence Day Parade,” said Rich Cress, Executive Director of the USA Patriots. “This experience is more than just a celebration—it’s a chance for these remarkable young athletes to show the world that with determination, support, and a little grit, there are no limits to what they can achieve. We’re proud to stand alongside the Mandan community as we celebrate America’s pastimes and the power of perseverance.”

The USA Patriots’ mission is to empower veteran amputees and children with physical challenges by promoting the benefits of inclusive sports and therapeutic recreational activities. Their programs—ranging from national softball competition to youth mentoring and adaptive skills training—demonstrate that life without limbs is truly limitless.

Through Kids Camp, veteran athletes serve not only as coaches, but also as role models for the children, teaching them the techniques, mindset, and confidence to succeed both on and off the field. This July 4th, the streets of Mandan will be lined with spectators applauding their courage and celebrating their achievements.

“The USA Patriots Kids Campers represent everything we admire and celebrate on the Fourth of July,” said Matt Schanandore, Executive Director of the Mandan Progress Organization. “Their strength, joy, and refusal to be defined by physical limitations are a living example of what makes our nation great.”

Please join us in giving the USA Patriots Kids Campers a true Mandan welcome as we celebrate their incredible story and honor them as the Grand Marshal of one of the longest-running Independence Day parades in the nation.

For more information about the Mandan Independence Day Parade, visit www.visitmandan.com.
To learn more about the USA Patriots organization and their incredible mission, visit www.usapatriotsathletics.org.

About Mandan Progress Organization:
The Mandan Progress Organization is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Mandan through events, projects, and initiatives that foster community spirit and pride.