All across the country communities are gearing up to celebrate 243 years of independence with parades, activities for kids, music and more. Closer to home, Alameda and Piedmont are focusing on the elements that make their communities unique, each creating a small-town event in a very urban area to ring in the fun on July 4.
Alameda’s full day of fun, hosted by the Alameda Fourth of July Foundation, begins with the Alameda Mayor’s July 4th Parade R.A.C.E., a 5K run and walk along the parade route, beginning at 9:45 a.m., before the parade. This Ralph Appezzato Charity Event will benefit the Midway Shelter for Women and Children and will award medals for the top three men and three women in three age categories.
“The parade watchers cheer them on, so it’s like runners and walkers have their own little parade; there are 80,000 people there to see the parade, so they see the runners too,” said Barbara Price, the parade’s committee chair.
At 10 a.m. fans are treated to one of the largest and longest Independence Day parades in the United States, with more than 160 entries and 25,000 participants on the 3.2-mile route. There’s something for everyone among the equestrians, dance troops, classic and antique cars, several large bands, politicians, veterans and hand-decorated flatbed floats.
First up is the Coast Guard Color Guard, followed by the Lincoln Middle School marching band. High among parade favorites is the large contingent of horses, many dancing to the music of two mariachi bands, zebras, bulls, costumed characters, clowns and more. The party next will move to Pier 3 on Alameda Point near the USS Hornet for the Coast Guard Festival from 12 to 4 p.m.
“We’re celebrating the fact that Alameda is a Coast Guard City, the eighth in the U.S.,” Price said. “This is the third year, and it’s exciting because there will be a Coast Guard rescue swimmer demonstration.”
The festival will have live music, a huge kid’s zone with activities and games, the Food Truck Mafia, the Lucky 13 Beer Truck and a parade awards ceremony. Festivalgoers can visit informational booths and Coast Guard mission displays, check out helicopter and whaleboat displays, tour a small cutter and enjoy a Coast Guard silent drill team demonstration.
“It’s been a great addition because a lot of people wanted to be able to go to a festival after the parade; it keeps your day going and then the USS Hornet opens,” she said.
The USS Hornet keeps the celebration going from 2 to 10 p.m. with multiple bands in multiple locations, family activities, food and beverages, including full bars. Kids of all ages can enjoy a flight simulator, hands-on science, interactive exhibits and more. Alamedans are proud of their day of celebration for the Fourth of July.
“It’s an opportunity for everyone to come together and enjoy the holiday and to share in family, friends, neighbors,” Price said. “We work hard for it to be fun for everybody, to just be a time when everybody comes together and enjoys our community.”
In Piedmont the Fourth of July parade and pancake breakfast is a big tradition every year with Highland Avenue lined with chairs in anticipation, usually a week ahead. The pancake breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. offers sausages, fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee and, of course, pancakes at Veteran’s Hall. It’s run by Piedmont Community Service Crew, students from Piedmont High School who work with Rebuilding Together Oakland, and the proceeds support philanthropic projects as well as serving meals to the homeless.
At 11 a.m. the eight-block-long parade begins, with many residents waving flags to celebrate Independence Day and welcome parade entries. This year’s theme is Public Service on Display and will be led by Grand Marshall Michael Murphy from the Piedmont Recreation Department, a well-known public figure who’s held a number of positions over many years.
Bagpipe bands, in keeping with the city’s Scottish traditions, make this small-town parade uniquely Piedmont. They’re joined by a large contingent of classic and antique cars, different volunteer groups and neighborhood floats.
“We usually have several animal rescue groups, so there are lots of dressed-up pets, as well as the Balloon Platoon, a comedic marching group,” said Cora Wood, an administrative assistant with the Piedmont Recreation Department. “There are usually fun entrees in this hometown parade. You never know what you’re going to get; there’s always an element of surprise.”
Following the parade, a festive community picnic and concert will take place in Piedmont Park, complete with the live sounds of Pride and Joy and Piedmont Council Boys Scouts selling snow cones and hot dogs, an ideal scene for families to bring a picnic lunch to and hang out in the park.
“Families don’t have to go far to celebrate the Fourth of July, they can just celebrate in their hometown with kids playing in the park. It’s just a nice family vibe,” Wood said. “It’s special and unique. Leaving your chairs out for a week along Highland Avenue, and nobody bothers them — that’s just tradition.”
If you go
Alameda
race: 9:45 a.m., alamedarace.com
parade: 10 a.m., alamedaparade.com
Coast Guard Festival: 12-4 p.m., alamedaparade.com/events/cc-festival.jpg
USS Hornet: adults $25, youth ages 7 to 17, $15, children younger than 6 with paying adults, active military and first responders with I.D. all get in free; uss-hornet.org/calendar/4th-of-july-2019
Piedmont
pancake breakfast: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Veterans’ Hall, 401 Highland Ave.; tickets for ages 14 and older are $8.50, $5.50 for those younger than 14 and are free for ages 3 or younger; www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/2019-4th-of-july-parade-and-pancake-breakfast/
parade: 11 a.m., corner of Highland Avenue and Park Way
