The local Girl Scout troop leads off the Allandale Independence Day parade this morning. This is the 50th year for the event. Organizer Donna Beth McCormick said the Allandale 4th of July parade is the oldest and best in Austin.

The Sons of the American Revolution were among the first to lead off Allandale's 50th annual parade. Participants this year were Kevin Miller and Greg Morgan.

It's probably safe to say, given the 8:30 a.m. start, that Allandale was Mayor Lee Leffingwell's first parade as mayor. Leffingwell is joined by Sen. Kirk Watson, new Council Member Chris Riley and parade organizer Donna Beth McCormick.

Allandale resident Rep. Elliott Naishtat talks to drummer Alan Cline before this morning's Allandale parade. Naishtat has made an art out of getting from one event to another on July 4th. He expected to make seven parades on Saturday.

Participants in this morning's Allandale parade were just as busy snapping pictures as the spectators. This is the 50th year for the parade in the Northwest Austin neighborhood.

A line of cars turned onto Bullard Avenue before being joined by cyclists and walkers at this morning's Independence Day parade. Local businesses Amy's Ice Cream and the Taco Shack also participated.

Patriotic fairy sprites were seen along the parade route at the annual Allandale Independence Day parade. This is the 50th year for the Northwest Austin neighborhood parade.

Participates walked, drove and pedaled down the parade route in Allandale on Saturday morning. Many were waving flags or carrying children on the way to Gullett Elementary.

Even the Allandale neighborhood's youngest residents make a point of attending the annual Independence Day parade.

Vehicles of all varieties were on the parade route at the annual Allandale Independence Day Parade, including this car, masquerading as a tiki hut.

The historic drum duo of Alan Cline and Steven Polunsky performed at today's parade. This is Polunsky, who has a day job at the Texas Capitol.

The local Girl Scout troop made its regular appearance at the Allandale parade, throwing candy at the crowd.

No joking when the float says the dog days of summer. Much of Central Texas was under a heat advisory today.

A youthful-looking Betsy Ross made to the Allandale parade route this morning in a wagon, with her mother.

The half-mile parade route was crowded with bikes and razors as participants made it to Gullett Elementary School. The parade route started at Bullard and White Rock.

Children visit with the Taco Shack's chicks -- they're kept for eggs -- at this morning's Allandale parade.

Children visit with the Taco Shack's chicks -- they're kept for eggs -- at this morning's Allandale parade.

Singer Natomi Austin sang the Star Spangled Banner at this morning's parade, as well as America the Beautiful.

Even at 9 a.m., the heat was up at the Allandale parade. Parade goers cooled off with snow cones and ice cream.

Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt, a regular attendee of the Allandale 4th of July parade, greets the crowd at Gullett.

Parade goers gathered at the end of the parade route at Gullett Elementary, where prizes were handed out for best participants.

Allandale did not lack for patriotic spirit at today's parade, which drew more than 200 participants and spectators.

Parade founder Phyllis Brinkley shows off the gift given to her for her work on the Allandale parade.

Phyllis Brinkley, the founder of the Allandale parade, was on hand at today's event. This is the 50th parade, which means Brinkley organized the first one back in 1960.

Allandale's Girl Scout troop sold cupcakes as a fund-raiser at today's parade. The Boy Scouts sold hot dogs.