Sure, there were a few reasons to feel less than patriotic this Independence Day. As Americans, we’re facing foreign wars, inflation, and political division. But within 15 minutes of watching Alameda’s 4th of July Parade, all of that seemed to disappear.
On an island where community pride is a valued aspect of life, the parade was a joyful spectacle celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. It’s certainly the biggest Independence Day celebration in northern California. And as commonly noted, its 3.3-mile route qualifies it as the longest in the nation.
Our Honorary Grand Marshal was 12th District Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, who represents Alameda along with Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont and San Leandro. But the Grand Marshal designation went to Alameda Fire Chief Nick Luby and his firefighters, who are celebrating the department’s 150th anniversary this year. To put that in perspective, Alamedans were putting out fires during the same year that Custer was fighting in the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
The equipment they use to fight fires has really progressed over the years, and the large red fire trucks blasted their horns as they drove down the parade route to let everyone know that Alameda firefighters are proud of their heritage.
Getting a good spot for parade viewing is very important. As in past years, local residents put chairs out on the curb to get the best vantage point. Many placed them out the night before, another Alameda parade tradition.
Frank Ewers had just readied his chairs when he reflected on that long-established ritual. “My sister-in-law used to live here and it was her last year. She called me at 7:30 in the morning and said, ‘Frank, can you remember to put out the chairs? I can’t do it this year.’”
This year would be the first parade experience for Aaron and Jennie Klein, who moved to Alameda from Reno, Nevada. There, the 4th of July is celebrated with casino fireworks and tourists enjoying Lake Tahoe, Aaron said. At almost 3 years old, their daughter Isla was old enough to attend the Alameda parade this year, after being too young the last two years.
“She is at parade age, which is cool,” Jennie said.
Along the route, Park street neighbors were pitching in to make the parade a memorable experience. Kevin Eckert was cooking and giving out free hot dogs to visitors. He got the idea from a nearby neighbor and decided to take over when that neighbor moved away. It was just another kind act done by people with community spirit.
“It’s just giving back to the community,” he said. “A lot of people want to give me money but that is not the point,” he said. “Give it to a charity if you wish.”
Alameda is a community of close to 80,000 people, but the parade has all the small-town atmosphere you would expect in a traditional Independence Day celebration. City Council members and other local politicians ride in classic cars and open-topped convertibles. Kids from local sports teams bounce basketballs. Swimmers and polo players have aquatic style team names. A band from a local Catholic high school plays tunes from the back of a truck. Riders from Shiloh West Ranch ride horses, followed by workers armed with brooms and garbage cans to keep the parade route clean.
And of course, there’s the military. Alameda is home to a Coast Guard base, so sailors decked out in Navy blue work outfits got a big hand as they marched down the street. A naval reserve unit followed later, their members wearing camouflage uniforms and following a huge brown military truck.
Parade winners will not be announced until later this month, City officials said, but the award for most enthusiastic parade person surely must go to outgoing Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, who gave up a fancy car to ride an electric bike in the procession.
She was clearly having a good time.
David Boitano is a contributing writer for the Alameda Post. Contact him via [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/David-Boitano.
