Coast Guard officer named Grand Marshal of NC 4th of July Festival parade in Southport

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — The NC 4th of July Festival has announced that Chief Warrant Officer Jason Gazzillo of the United States Coast Guard will serve as Grand Marshal of the 2026 parade, honoring his leadership and service at Coast Guard Station Oak Island.

The parade, scheduled for July 4 at 11 a.m. in Southport, is one of the signature events of the annual festival celebrating Independence Day along the North Carolina coast.

Gazzillo currently serves as commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Oak Island. His “Change of Command” ceremony is expected in late June 2026, meaning he will assume leadership of the station just weeks before leading the historic parade as Grand Marshal.

“Every year, the festival committee is dedicated to honoring those who have served or are currently serving our country,” said Hugh Fosbury, chair of the festival committee. “Having a member of the U.S. Coast Guard as Grand Marshal is a significant way for us to do so.”

The station, located in the Cape Fear region, operates under the Coast Guard’s East District, covering a vast maritime area spanning coastal waters, rivers, and ports across the Mid-Atlantic. Its missions include search and rescue, law enforcement, marine safety, oil spill response, and aids to navigation along key waterways such as the Intracoastal Waterway and the Cape Fear River.

Gazzillo’s Coast Guard career spans more than two decades, beginning with his enlistment in 2003. He has served aboard multiple cutters and stations across the country, including assignments in California, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, and North Carolina. His roles have included boarding officer, coxswain, operations petty officer, and executive leadership positions at several stations.

Festival organizers said his selection reflects the community’s ongoing appreciation for the Coast Guard’s role in protecting the region’s coastal waters and maritime economy.

The NC 4th of July Festival continues to be one of the oldest Independence Day celebrations in the United States, drawing visitors from across the country to the coastal community of Southport each summer.