The Main Street Cultural District will flood with people and fun for Ames’ annual Fourth of July parade that will be held July 4 at 11 a.m., starting on Main Street.

“The parade [will run] in a big “U” shape up Main Street, then up Douglas Avenue and then down Fifth Street to end at City Hall,” said Tyler Dahlberg, intern for the Main Street Cultural District and senior in advertising.

The parade, which brought about 10,000 people to downtown Ames last year, is expected to draw a large crowd this year too, Dahlberg said.

“There are about 500 people in the parade itself,” Dahlberg said, and he expects about 5,000 people will show up just for the parade.

Dahlberg listed just a few of the local names who will be in the parade.

These include people such as former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney, Kansas senator and Republican presidential hopeful, Sam Brownback, Iowa State Athletic Director, Jamie Pollard and family and local state government representatives.

“Mitt Romney wanted to have a small rally after the parade,” Dahlberg said, but details had not been worked out at the time.

There wasn’t any word of Democratic presidential hopefuls coming for the parade, however, Dahlberg said some candidates might become more interested after hearing about Romney’s and Brownback’s appearance in the parade this year.

The parade will also showcase entries that include martial arts performers, sports and classical cars, local businesses and music by the Ames High School Marching Band and other musical groups.

Dahlberg said local business Innova Ideas and Services made their float out of T-shirts.

“I don’t know how elaborate people are getting on these [floats],” he said.

The Main Street Cultural District has received about 100 entries for the parade and expects it to last anywhere between an hour-and-a-half to two hours.

Spectators can also expect plenty of candy and confetti during the parade, Dahlberg said.

Immediately following the parade there will be a festival in the Main Street Cultural District that will include booths and food vendors – including items such as ice cream and barbecue – that will last through out the rest of the day.

The Bill Reilly Talent Show, which is a child’s talent show, will also be part of the Festival.

A pancake breakfast will be scheduled before the parade at 8 a.m. at City Hall.