The Hollyhock Lane Parade began in 1934 when several residents from Giddings and Calvin Avenues decided to have a Fourth of July parade in the alley between the two streets. Those residents were Otto Frey, Clarence Gill, Howard Lee, Orrie Sluiter, George Vruggink, and Herman Wolhferd. In 1935 the group was organized with a permit under the name Screech Owls, Inc. By 1941, the parade committee was incorporated as The Calvin-Giddings Patriotic Association, Inc. It was in 1946 that the parade became known as the “Hollyhock Lane Parade” due to the stretch of hollyhocks that lined the alleyway.

The annual neighborhood parade is known for “instilling patriotism” and features children on decorated bicycles, floats, and the “Hollymock” marching band. Each year a neighborhood boy and girl are selected to represent Uncle Sam and Miss Liberty in costume. The parade ends with a patriotic speech. Gerald R. Ford was the speaker in 1950, 1951, 1970 and 1971 while U.S. Congressman. Due to its popularity the parade moved out of the alley and expanded to the neighborhood streets. The Hollyhock Lane Parade is the oldest continuous Independence Day Parade in the State of Michigan.