In a world where floats come and go, Brentwood has one that’s—well—built like a brick sh… let’s just say built to last.

Every Fourth of July, as the Parade heads down Brownsville Road, the crowd starts to smile before they even see it. Decked in red, white, and blue, with a woman in a clawfoot bathtub, a brick outhouse, and the unmistakable sound of live accordion music—it can only be one thing: the Columbus Brothers’ float. This float is a rolling ode to tradition, patriotism, and plumbing.

A Brentwood staple since 1973, the float made its debut with a musical performance of America the Beautiful by six young accordion players. Among them was 12-year-old Mike Columbus, who’s been part of the float nearly every year since. “Back then, we had two floats—one for the music and one for the outhouse,” he says. “Now we’ve streamlined the operation.”

Over the years, the float has evolved from simple musical roots into a full-blown spectacle. The outhouse isn’t just a cheeky joke; it’s become part of Brentwood folklore. The bathtub came next, followed by polka dancers, bubbles, and candy-tossing kids. Through it all, the float has never lost its sense of fun or its community-first spirit.

Mike, now 61, is the last original accordionist still playing. He’s been squeezing out tunes since age four, inspired by Lawrence Welk and Myron Floren. “Every time Myron came on TV, I started to dance around the room. So, my parents signed me up for lessons—and that was that.”

When the parade ends, the float doesn’t just sit in a garage—it’s hoisted into the rafters of the Columbus Brothers business, where it hangs above their showroom floor like a suspended time capsule of Brentwood pride. Each summer, it’s carefully lowered, cleaned, and prepped for another run, often with new touches or signage, though the core design rarely changes.

The float’s popularity has stood the test of time, too. “The crowd enjoys our float,” Columbus said. “It’s always an enthusiastic crowd. It seems like it’s growing in popularity over the years.”

Columbus Brothers Homes and Supplies, the family’s kitchen, bath, and custom home construction business, is now run by the second generation—John, Michael, and Paul—all Brentwood natives. Michael still lives in the family’s original neighborhood and is currently building a new home for sale in town.

The float has never been about marketing, though. “It’s not about business,” Mike says. “It’s about tradition, family, and celebrating the 4th with our neighbors.”

And it’s still a family affair. Mike’s children, Emily and Michael, grew up on the float.  Emily is a firefighter and serves on the Fourth of July Committee, continuing the family’s legacy of community service. Mike himself has volunteered with both Brentwood EMS and the Brentwood Volunteer Fire Department.

In the early years, the float traveled the fire department parade circuit all throughout Pennsylvania, from summer to Christmas. But today, it proudly rolls only through Brentwood—where it belongs.

“The world may have changed,” Mike says, “but Brentwood has stayed the same. It’s its own little town. And the parade—well, I think everybody enjoys it.”

So, when you see the Columbus Brothers’ float rolling down Brownsville Road this year—accordion playing, bathtub gleaming, outhouse holding strong—give an extra cheer. Because it’s not just a float. It’s a Brentwood tradition—with bricks, bubbles, and just the right amount of irreverence.