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Alameda Fourth of July Parade
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13 reviews for Alameda Fourth of July Parade
It's a pretty well-kept secret that I have a sentimental streak a mile wide, and there is nothing that triggers it more profoundly than an event or story which contains the gathering of people in community for a greater purpose.
I'm not religious, for instance, but I tend to shed a tear when I go to a church or temple - in Notre Dame in Paris, it hit me, because despite all the bloodshed in the name of religion, despite all the wrongdoing by church folks, there is, beneath it all, people's desire to seek something which will bring out their better selves, and there, I felt the sheer numbers and history of people with that goal. I feel it in news stories or movies where people band together during an emergency, like when people helped out after Hurricane Katrina, while the government had its thumb up its butt. I hate sports, but I can be moved by the enthusiasm of a stadium full of people rooting for the home team, or even better, the underdog.
And I'm not patriotic, or even very civic-minded, but I invariably puddle up at a parade. I know it's totally stupid, but whether it's the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or the How Berkeley Can You Be, there's something about a large group of people experiencing an event together that makes me think, "Ah, the little humans..." Or as the dear Lily Tomlin described it, "the Goosebump Experience".
The Alameda Fourth of July Day parade strikes that chord as well. Sure it's kind of hokey, and there's perhaps a little more military presence than there might be in 'Berkeley, fr'instance, but who doesn't get at least a little choked up by a group of grizzled or disabled vets, or even a dedicated standard-bearer, still holding up after 3 long miles of ...well, ..standard-bearing.
Little kids doing cartwheels, little kids doing kung fu, little kids riding ponies, little kids twirling batons, little kids on little bikes enthusiastically shouting, "Happy Fourth of July", ya gotta love that. Great representatives of the Black Cowboys Association, the local beauty queens, a contingent of kids with learning disabilities, a group of Buhtanese in national dress, an Irish pub, big antique cars, Polynesian dancers...DAMN, it just makes you want to stand up and shout God Bless America. And this year, for the first time in a very long time, with an intelligent and articulate President, I actually felt good about having that feeling.
God Bless the Alameda Fourth of July Parade. It brought a tear to my eye.
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This year's parade did not disappoint! I got my fill of High School bands, cheer leading squads, and saluting veterans! I swear, I'm gonna get in the parade, somehow, next year. Too Much fun...
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/5/2007
The parade lasted more than two hours. I won't sit in the sun for most things, let alone two full… Read more »
2008 Parade Update: Now with more trolleys! And horses! Also includes the Alameda Sheriff's Posse. (I don't know what that is, but it involves a bunch of horses and makes me giggle when I say it. Don't tell the Sheriff!)
Less floats with music this year, but there was more candy and even some yummy kettle corn given to parade watchers. It's still a mellow, oh-so-sincere parade. I love it, and so do the shorties.
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7/12/2007
I keep saying that being in Alameda is like being in the 1950's. Or in Michigan. Certainly not in… Read more »
I can't imagine anyone not loving this parade. It's a modern Mayberry neighborhood extravaganza.
I've walked in this parade. More than once.
Oops. I accidently erased this review and I don't have the patience or creativity to re-write it. I am an asshole.
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Would you like to go back in time? Experience a slightly more innocent past-time? Witness a lovely outpouring of community spirit?
Come to the Alameda Fourth of July Parade
Each year this island of 70K or so puts on a parade in which anyone can participate. Kids on decorated bicycles, dogs in bandannas, the fire department ladder truck, 'floats' tied to the backs of 1950's cars. Anyone.
A day or so beforehand, residents paint murals on the streets of the parade route and a few hours beforehand the lawn chairs sprout along the sidewalks. Friends, neighbors and total strangers gather for the 2-3 hour festivities, cheering all the participants and striking up conversations with anyone in earshot. The parade is over in plenty of time for barbecues and street fairs in the afternoon.
Two days later, the murals are fading and Alameda has returned to the 21st century. But for one morning, you can have one of those unique and wonderful experiences that leaves a smile on your face for days.
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The Alameda Mayor's Fourth of July Parade is the biggest parade in the US. It's fantastic, I've been in it five times. We bring our chairs out early in the morning and stake a spot -- then munch on cheese and crackers until the candy and popcorn floats come by. Then it's free give-aways better than just fliers! We always end up with fridge magnets, carnival beads, big smiles, and tradition fulfilled - it's our anniversary. He proposed that night. :) That and the fireworks off Alameda point that night -- July 4th is the best day of the year!
2008 Edit: Oh noes! The "Alameda is clean green" theme (heh) blew the dudes who motorized their easy chairs. FUDGE! They were the best. *sigh* Oh well it was still a fantastic show. :)
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Kids on decorated bikes. Old people on the back of a streetcar. Veterans saluting the crowd. Horses pooping in the street. My boyfriend happily waving his American flag at every single float.
A priceless day, a priceless community.
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I remember not being able to leave my house b/c my drive way would be blocked and closed due to the parade route. I had to plan accordingly to leave either extra early or leave late the parade because of it.
I enjoyed the parade immensely as a child however as I grew up over the years, I found the parade to be getting less and less festive.
This is what I always thought it should be like.
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Shaolin kung fu acrobatics, a skating strawberry, hoard of Harleys, horsey smelling horses, mariachi band, veterans, pro peace proponents and damn it was hot. All topped off with some ice cold brewhahas. Another grand 4th of July in Alameda.
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Let me start by saying that I am probably one of the least patriotic Americans this country has ever borne. And yet somehow, Alameda's 4th of July draws me like a moth to a lightbulb. I love that shiznit. The Mexican Restaurant floats with mariachis, the crazyass Jesus freaks in their cherry, classic low riders, the shaolin monk children, the Average Joes riding their souped-up lawnmowers, old guys doing donuts on their Harleys, I mean, c'mon! Is this not Americana in a nutshell? Five stars for being random enough to lure a city kid/ blue-state enthusiast out of bed on a day off to celebrate the birth of her (poor, misguided) country. Hurray!!!
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i live on one of the corners where this throwback to a simpler time occurs. where else can you see your mayor and county supervisors driving by in an old thunderbird, followed by a guy on a unicycle? this is why i live in alameda.