Title: 4th of July Parade
Location: Alameda California
Link out: Click here
Description: BEST HOMETOWN PARADE 2008 Alameda Fourth of July Parade

“Everybody loves a parade, and Alameda’s annual Mayor’s Fourth of July extravaganza — always on July 4, no matter what the day, natch — attracts some 20,000 spectators, or roughly one-third of the city’s population. Everyone and then some are there to wave flags and witness color guards, marching bands, baton twirlers, classic cars, horses, politicians, veterans, and floats, floats, floats. The parade route is longer than three miles, allowing the city to claim it as the longest parade procession ever, which no one bothers to challenge. Families and friends lucky enough to live on the parade route host barbecues as the spectacle winds past, while others from Alameda and throughout the Bay Area contentedly nab spots along coveted stretches of Park Street, Grand, Central and Otis for optimal viewing. This event epitomizes Americana at its finest and is the best hometown parade going in the East Bay, no question. Makes you proud to be an American.”
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2009-07-04

This year’s parade:

THEME:   Celebrate Independence and the 4th of July

SCHEDULE:

All activities occur on Friday, July 4th, 2008. 

Alameda Race:                      Starts at 9:45AM

Parade:                                   Starts at 10AM

Jumpin’ & Jivin’ Jubilee:       Starts noon and runs until 4:00pm

Background information:

The Alameda 4th of July Parade is the second longest Independence Day parade in the nation. With over 170 floats that travel a three mile route, the parade has become the central activity of the Bay Area’s Fourth of July weekend.

The parade boasts the longest route in the United States, drawing over 20,000 spectators from the region. Parade entries cross the full spectrum of Bay Area residents includes:

• Equestrians
• Dance troops
• Floats and antique cars
• A large variety of bands

The Parade Committee, as a 501c3 organization, donates to the high school and middle school bands that participate in the parade. This year the Parade Committee is looking to donate a total of $10,000 to school music programs. Sponsor participation helps assure that the costs of the parade are covered and that donations can be made to the schools’ music programs.

Many community members host front yard barbeques where their friends and family come together to watch the Parade. It is a tradition for many families to return to the same spot along the Parade route to celebrate the Fourth of July year after year.

The Mayor’s 4th of July Parade was voted the “Best Hometown Celebration” for 2007 and “Best Hometown Parade” for 2008 by the East Bay Express. They proclaimed the parade “…a bit of Kansas right here in the East Bay.”