CA, US & World
Wisconsin's Famous Dancing Grannies Set to Perform at National America 250 Parades
PALM DESERT, Calif. — Some of Wisconsin's most recognizable grandmothers are trading their local neighborhood streets for a massive national spotlight this summer. The beloved Dancing Grannies have announced they will not be marching in their traditional hometown 4th of July parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Instead, the performance troupe has been selected to represent the entire state of Wisconsin at two of the country's most prominent America 250 celebrations.
The group is currently finalizing preparations for two back-to-back major events on the East Coast. First, they will march in the historic July 3rd parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The following day, on the 4th of July, they will perform in the prestigious National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., directly in front of the White House. Organizers noted that only five groups from each state were selected for the national honor, leaving the local dancers in a state of shock and intense excitement. Group member Chris Gaspardo shared that she is nearly exploding with excitement over the opportunity to celebrate the country alongside her fellow performers.
While the Dancing Grannies are well-known for their rigorous local schedule, which often includes multiple community parades in a single day, they admitted that preparing for national parades required an entirely different level of physical endurance. Performer Kathy Gladfelter noted that the Philadelphia parade is considered the largest in the country, spanning a fast-moving route of about two and a half miles.
To prepare for the long, demanding routes, the women have spent the past year undergoing specialized conditioning. Choreographer Christine Maiorano and the team have been utilizing metronome applications on their mobile devices, practicing their synchronized steps outside at a brisk, steady pace of 120 beats per minute.
To match the grandeur of America's 250th birthday, the troupe also just unveiled brand-new red, white, and blue performance costumes designed specifically for the national broadcast stage. The members expressed deep pride in the opportunity to show the nation the resilience and vitality of active older women while representing their home state.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
June 26, 2026
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