Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda for July 9, 2023
This post-4th of July Parade report covers the pre-Parade goings on the days leading up to the 4th and along Lincoln Avenue before the entrants turned onto the parade route.
By Sunday afternoon, Alamedans were staking out their territory for the best viewing spots along the route and there were a few folks that decked out their homes in the grand old red, white, and blue.
Earlier in the week, my human companion and I walked along Lincoln Avenue to see where the float numbers had been marked on the street.
The ROAD CLOSED and DETOUR signs, along with many of the barriers that had been staged along the parade route, were all in place by 7 a.m. I was really surprised to see one family out so early on Grand Street at Central Avenue.
My first stop was to check out all the fire trucks on Park Street, which I learned are called “fire apparatus” according to Wikipedia.
Members of the Alameda Police Department Motorcycle Club were well represented, too.
As I walked along Lincoln Avenue checking out the entries and the folks putting on the final decorative touches to their floats, it was really clear that some were not morning people, while others must have had a bunch of espresso on board by 9 a.m.
I noticed that there were several portable toilets around, but it seemed like there was a need for a few more in order to keep the line moving.
There were lots of fun things to see along with a few local celebrity sightings. Current City Councilmember and former Mayor, Trish Spencer, was clad in red, white, and blue and nicely accessorized. Alameda resident and Alameda County Supervisor Lena Tam and her friends were having way too much fun when I went by.
Alameda Pride founder Jeramie Andehueson rallied his troops using a bull horn, and the Alameda Post’s publisher Adam Gillitt was greeting folks while the Post’s staff put the final decoration touches on a classic Mustang convertible. AUSD School Board members Heather Little and Megan Sweet went green this year and rode in a pedicab.
Perhaps the most notable person in attendance was California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who also happens to be an Alameda resident. There were many other important folks hanging out, but I couldn’t get everyone, because my human companion kept dragging me along while looking out for other dogs, any cats, and of course, SQUIRRELS!!
While there was plenty of water for horses that participated in the Parade, most of the traditional horse entries were absent this year. Read why here.
I am going to be lobbying my human companion to enter me… ah… actually, I mean enter The Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda in the parade next year with a big sign saying, “Treats Accepted/Squirrels Prohibited.”
It looks like the contractor working on the Encinal Avenue project is going to be striping the roadway next week. I can’t wait to see how that gets done.
Have a great week, and please wish for more sun. I am really getting tired of hearing my human companion moan and complain about being cold.
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos by Jeff Cambra.
