Lynette McKinney has never missed a Monroeville Fourth of July parade.

As a majorette with the Blue Flames in the 1970s, she remembers the bicentennial celebration when the group's picture was buried in the time capsule at the Old Stone Church.

But what's really emblazoned in her memory are the scores of people lining the parade route along William Penn Highway.

"They say it's big now, but then you couldn't even get a seat, and there were so many [marching] groups," she recalled.

She's looking forward to seeing her twin daughters, Megan and Mara, march Saturday as Gateway cheerleaders in the same parade in which she twirled her baton from the age of 7 to 14.

This is the 58th year scouts, bands, fire departments, dance groups and other independent groups show their national pride as they will march starting at 9 a.m. from Miracle Mile Shopping Center to Monroeville Mall.

"We've had the full support of Monroeville Council since before I was involved," said Evan Karelitz, parade chairman. About 95 percent of the $20,000 it takes to pull off the community celebration is funded by council, he said.

Planning begins in December when the 10-person committee selects a theme. This year it's Summertime Fun in America.

And even though it's downsized since the '70s and '80s, the event draws a crowd. Some set chairs up along the parade route the night before.

"We get there at 7 [a.m.] to get ready, and people are there waiting," said Mr. Karelitz.

According to Katie Forrest, committee member and parade chairperson in the '70s, the number of marching units has dwindled from about 85 in the '70s to about 50 or 60 today.

"We were noted in the '70s, '80s and '90s as being the biggest parade in the eastern suburbs," said Mrs. Forrest. "We don't have the marching groups we used to have, and people aren't out there making the floats like they used to."

Still, there are a few large marching groups, such as the Blue Flames, Golden Triangles and Gateway High School's marching band, that have consistently performed.

Among the other parade participants will be the Syria Shrine Motor Corps and their miniature four-wheelers, and Kelly Guerrieri, who has finished her junior year at Gateway High School and will be featured on the Rotary Club's float as Miss Independence.