Alameda Fourth of July Parade
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
18 reviews for Alameda Fourth of July Parade
18 reviews in English
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Review from Mary K.
Bay Area
7/5/2011 1 photo
as long as I've lived here I've never missed the parade. I really love it. Growing up it was just fun to see this parade in person. 2 decades later, it is still the same small-town goodness. There is never a crazy packed crowd. ever. (comparing to the pride parade in SF since that is the only other parade I've been to). You can easily find a spot to sit anywhere on the parade route. Take your bike, food, blanket, and ride all over the blocked off streets of Alameda to find the perfect spot. There are tons of places to sit and watch on Otis, few blocks from Grand.
I love the handmade floats, the military aspect (seeing old jets, veterans, some old boats), and local businesses. I mainly love seeing all the old cars. There's nothing like it! Lots of small little old man quartets with banjos, sousaphones, etc etc. Every school on the island with a band is in the parade; its fun to see how talented these kids are. I've been in the parade once with the high school band, and it was really fun. It should be a requirement for being a true Alameda resident to be in this parade in any way at least once! it seems that anyone can be in this parade, and people still cheer. -
Review from laura b.
San Francisco, CA
7/6/2007
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.Listed in: Alameda: Isle of DREAMS!
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Review from kimberly v.
Berkeley, CA
7/5/2009
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. -
Review from Suzanne B.
San Francisco, CA
6/20/2006
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. -
Review from Andi T.
Updated - 7/7/2008 1 photo
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.Listed in: Alameda, Alameda /East Bay Kid List, Pirates like holidays, too
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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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 »
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Review from doctor g.
Alameda County, CA
5/22/2010
Because Alameda has two downtowns, they have to make the parade go through both downtowns. As a consequence, it is one of the longest parades in the state. It's a number of miles long. The good part about this is the relative ease of finding a comfortable spot to watch the parade. The bad part is that a lot of the entrants are mechanized - or as my dad remarked once, "It's a bunch of trucks!"
This parade is a very corny, Americana-type of parade. Lots of local groups participating, lot of comments yelled out by the spectators at the participants. Used to have a lot of churches participate. Does have political groups participate. Plenty of opportunities for informal public discourse and rude remarks.
Parade starts at Lincoln and Park Street. Lots of people watch on Park Street because the entrants are all piled up following each other. By the time the parade gets to Encinal, they're all spread out with lots of space in between the participants. Loads of people hosting private parties on the lawns of the Gold Coast on Grand and on Encinal. The official viewing stand is at the end of the parade on Webster. If it's an election year, you can count on a lot of politicians showing up.
I think the best place to watch the parade is on Otis hear Towne Center. You can park at Towne Centre and use the bathroom at Burger King or grab something to eat. The crowd isn't too big at this location either.
I knew a guy who was with a renown Scottish bagpipe band that was asked to perform in the parade. They were allegedly told that the parade wasn't too long. They didn't realize how the parade route snakes through all of Alameda. It was a hot day and blowing those bagpipes takes a lot out of you, especially when you're wearing those heavy wool kilts. Accordingly, they couldn't play during much of the parade and people of the sidewalks started shouting insults and obscenities at them for not playing. The band has since referred to the parade as the "Alameda Death March" and hasn't come back. -
Review from plot t.
CA
8/13/2007
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. :) -
Review from Jennifer G.
Ithaca, NY
7/5/2007
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. -
Review from Esther A.
6/29/2006
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. -
Review from Michael B.
Spokane, WA
1/5/2010
This is a really good mid sized city 4th of July Parade. If I had small children I feel like they would love the pageantry of it. It also harkens back to simpler times and middle American pride.
So why only 3 stars?
-1 star for the parade starting literally in front of my house. This means bands are practicing and people are yelling starting pretty early on the 4th, right outside my window.
-1 star because I don't have small children or middle American pride. Sure I still appreciate it, but I don't have the things that would put this over the top for me. -
Review from LuX P.
Oakland, CA
7/5/2007
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.
Listed in: Eat Drink ALAMEDA
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Review from Kerrinski S.
San Francisco, CA
7/12/2007 3 photos
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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Review from Amelia R.
Updated - 7/5/2009
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...
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 »
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Review from Gwen H.
Alameda, CA
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Review from Ms. T.
San Francisco, CA
7/7/2010
This was a wonderful parade. I did not have to fight to be in the front so that I could see or take pictures of the parade, that meant I did not have to get to the parade route hours before it started just to save seats. The floats were from local businesses,schools and organizations, not the big coporations. Every float looked like it was hand decorated. It had an old time charm and feel to it. Very much untouched by corporate America, except somehow Wells Fargo stagecoach snucked in somehow. I even spotted Elvis riding a uni-cycle and Marilyn Monroe.
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Review from Liz B.
Alameda, CA
5/21/2009
I can't imagine anyone not loving this parade. It's a modern Mayberry neighborhood extravaganza.
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Review from Brando C.
Oakland, CA
7/1/2009
one of the longest routes in the country. over 3 miles...
website is listed wrong. it's actually:
http://www.MYalamedapa... -
Review from Stephanie B.
San Francisco, CA
4/9/2008
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.
