06/05/2026
It’s a great day for a Q&A with Mark Willis, Glenside 4th of July Parade T-shirt designer!
See below for more info on this Upstate NY native who has extensive design experience, much love for travel and his family, and knows that strawberry shortcake with whipped cream on the 4th is where it’s at. 🇺🇸
GGPA: Where did you grow up?
Mark: Upstate New York (Albany/Schenectady area)
GGPA: When did you move to Glenside?
Mark: We moved in nine years ago, spring of 2017.
GGPA: Any professional background info you’d like to share?
Mark: I’m a designer and a digital strategist. I work at Saint Joseph’s U., overseeing their website and digital properties. And I do a lot of independent design work, making logos, brands and websites for small businesses and local organizations.
GGPA: What are your favorite hobbies?
Mark: Travel is number one - especially traveling with my family. I love designing - logos, posters and apparel. Sports: I enjoy them all, especially soccer, baseball, and volleyball which my daughters have taught me to love! I’ve been getting into meadow-style gardening as well.
GGPA: What are some ways you’ve volunteered in the area?
Mark: Contributing the design for the official Glenside Fourth of July t-shirt for the past several years has been very gratifying. I’ve also helped out with the annual “Keep the Parade Running” 5K and Glenside’s new Porchfest festival. My wife Sarah works as a coordinator at Meals on Wheels, so I assist there from time to time as well.
GGPA: Can you tell us a little about your thought process behind this year’s Parade T-shirt?
Mark: Our family has a few Fourth of July traditions, and a big one is walking down to Weldon field to watch the fireworks at dusk. The design tries to capture the feeling of sitting on a picnic blanket as patriotic fireworks fill the night sky over Glenside. Since it’s a big milestone birthday for the USA, I included a prominent “250.”
GGPA: How long have you been creating shirt designs, and what are some events/venues you’ve designed for in the past?
Mark: I’ve been doing it for about twenty years. I ran a small apparel company, Clean Sheet Co., for a while and designed dozens of shirts (and soccer jerseys, hats and scarves) over about a decade. I’ve even worked with Major League Soccer teams on design projects (but not the Union - yet!). I normally work with small businesses and startups on brands and identities, and that often includes creating shirts. For instance, I’ve worked with a bookshop, a boutique ski tour / adventure travel company and a startup coffee roaster over the past year or so.
GGPA: Which of your designs has been the most fun or memorable to create?
Mark: Last year’s (2025) shirt featured depictions of buildings and landmarks from all over Glenside. I loved the way the finished design captured how nice it feels to live in this beautiful community. We are very fortunate. Glenside has a lot of character, a lot of soul, and I’d like to think that came through in the design.
GGPA: If you could design your own 4th of July parade float, what would it look like and what would the theme be?
Mark: You need to hit as many senses as possible:
⁃ It would have tons of color - flags and streamers in every color and shape. Probably confetti too.
⁃ It would carry a great live band - something with brass horns and loud drums. Party music!
⁃ A bubble machine and maybe a mist-er for the people along the route - those are the best on hot parade days!
⁃ and at the very back, Gritty is manning the grill, giving out burgers and dogs to the crowd.
I feel like that would have something for everybody.
GGPA : Do you have any future designs or creative ideas in the works?
Mark: Yes! I’m working on a line of Glenside merch, and I’m partnering with a few friends to bring a new soccer-related design business to life. I’m always looking to work with local businesses on design, logo and identity needs.
