Download the official program for Tuesday’s Parade
The Fourth of July is next Tuesday, and we all know what that means—the City of Alameda’s 45th annual Fourth of July Parade, which is claimed as the longest (3.3 miles, or 5 kilometers) Independence Day procession in the nation.
Folding chairs will be lined up along the route (don’t even think about moving them or sitting in someone else’s), traffic will be blocked on some of our main thoroughfares for several hours, buses will lumber down residential streets to make their way through town, and some of us may get ticketed if we didn’t move our cars off the route before morning. But we don’t care, because our streets will be filled with merriment, food vendors, and strolling onlookers cheering for all the participants in our beloved parade.
The Post is among the parade’s proud sponsors this year and we’ll be marching—well, some of us may be riding in a convertible—so look for us along the route and say hello! As part of our sponsorship, we made the program for the parade.
“Alameda’s homegrown Fourth of July Parade celebrates our nation’s independence and the freedom and basic democratic values we enjoy,” Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft stated. “We uplift the ideals and principles our country was founded upon by celebrating our diversity and continuing to fight for justice for all. Our Fourth of July parade is a time to gather with friends, neighbors, and family to cheer for America, Alameda, and each other. I’ll be riding an electric bicycle in the parade and look forward to seeing everyone. Have a happy, safe Fourth of July!”
Parade day basics
- Official program: Download the Official Parade program [3 MB PDF], listing all the entries.
- Start time: The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4, with a 5k run of the parade route benefiting the Midway Shelter for Women and Children at 9 a.m.
- Parade route change: There are no bad seats along the parade route, but this year please note that the parade will turn on Central Avenue (not Encinal Avenue) before turning up Webster Street. Street parking will be allowed on Encinal Avenue this year.
- Road closures: Along the parade route, closures begin at 7 a.m. on July 4 and will reopen shortly after the parade passes.
- Participants: With more than 170 entries, colorful floats and attractions include a pre-parade flyover by the U.S. Coast Guard, equestrians, dance troops, antique cars, green transportation, nonprofits, community groups, local businesses, bands, elected officials, and more. Get all the information from the Fourth of July Parade page on the City of Alameda website.
- Fireworks are illegal: Remember, fireworks are illegal in Alameda and can cause anxiety in people with PTSD, veterans, and pets. If your pet goes missing in Alameda, contact the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter at 510-337-8565 or fill out a Lost Animal Report.
- More info: Visit the Fourth of July Parade page on the City of Alameda website. For concerns on the day of the parade, call 510-337-8340.
2023 Grand Marshals
This year’s Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshals will be Alameda Food Bank Executive Director Cindy Houts and Christ Church Co-Chair for Social Justice Alisa Rasera. Both are stellar examples of how to serve our community.
“As I get ready to retire from the Alameda Food Bank, I am honored to be selected as a Grand Marshal and am so proud of how my amazing volunteers, board, and staff have served this wonderful community,” Houts said.
“‘Love your neighbors, no exceptions’ is a statement posted in front of Christ Episcopal Church where I am a member,” Rasera said. “I have witnessed this in action from the many volunteers across Alameda, who have led with compassion and love at the Warming Shelter. I am still blown away by the culture of care that our volunteer citizens energized the shelter with every day from December to May. I have been blessed to serve the shelter guests and to learn their stories. There are so many reasons why someone becomes unhoused. Many positive outcomes and still we have work to do. It is my hope that our communities, leaders, and policymakers will keep finding the moral urgency and strive for sustainable solutions to the housing crisis.”
Parade sponsors
This year’s parade is sponsored by Alameda Municipal Power, Exelixis, ACI, Alameda Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, U.S. Coast Guard Base Alameda, Friends of the Parks, West Alameda Business Association, Alameda Bicycle, Alameda Post, Bank of Marin, Big Brothers Plumbing Inc., Jim’s Homestyle Cooking, Kiwanis International, and Speed Pro Imaging.
Special thanks to City staff who planned and organized the parade, especially to the Alameda Recreation & Parks Department.