An
important part of this patriotic holiday is our
traditional Fourth of July Parade. Whether you are
a spectator or a participant, this hugely popular
event has something for everyone. There will be
floats, marching bands, decorated vehicles, equestrian
units, old-time automobile clubs, and just about
every kind of local club and organization, with
plenty of noisemakers and patriotic music to add
to the excitement. This is a "don't-miss"
event that you and your neighbors will be talking
about for weeks afterward. The parade starts at
9:30 in the morning and proceeds along the PARADE
ROUTE right through downtown.
The
parade this year will be even better than ever.
This
popular event has grown in size and popularity
over the years. Along with this growth has come
a level
of anticipation
and excitement that brings out the crowds of
spectators every
year. So bring along a flag
to wave, your loudest cheering voice, and join
your neighbors to watch this sensational
parade.
Even
better, if you or your organization wish to have
an entry in the parade, this is your
opportunity to get yourself out in
front of the community and strut
your stuff. YOU are
invited to be part of it. So build a float, decorate
a car or truck or bicycle, or walk or skate or
dance or march. Create your own colorful, noisy
and exciting entry and join us for the best ever
parade in Pleasant Hill. The link at the bottom
of this page will take you through the registration
process.
Our
parade theme for 2008 is:
LET'S
PARTY !
SMALL
TOWN FUN FOR A BIG NATION CELEBRATION
In
the spirit of this year's theme, we encourage
all entrants to display fun and imaginative
ways of celebrating our nation's birthday.
To help the process along, a Mayor's
Trophy
will be
awarded to the float judged to be the "Best
Theme-Decorated Float". A Commissioner's
Trophy will be awarded to the "Best
Theme-Oriented non-float entry".
Additionally,
we encourage parade participants to display an
awareness of environmentalism and conservation.
A special "Green Oak Award" will be presented
to the parade entry that best promotes these principles.
The
Commission defines a 'float' as a decorated vehicle
either moving under its own
automotive power or towed behind either horses
or an automotive vehicle. A non-float entry would
be an entry where the participants are walking
instead of riding in a vehicle. We define "theme
oriented"
as "decorated to recognize, display and promote
the parade theme".
To be considered for either of these two trophies,
please indicate your preference on the registration
form.
All
entries must be decorated. Music
accompaniment to your entry is a plus and is encouraged
(we define just
about any form of noise as 'music').
The
parade begins at 9:30 am on Friday, July 4. It
is immediately followed
by an old-fashion Fourth of July celebration
at the park; with games, food, contests and lively
entertainment.
Please plan to join us in the park for this celebration
after the parade.
To be
a parade participant, please complete the registration
(see the link below)
as early as possible. There is a
nominal registration fee for all entrants, tiered
according to how early you register. We encourage
you to register early, both to reduce your registration
fee and to ensure that your entry will be included
in the parade publications.
Please
note that any entry registered after June 21 will
not be included in the parade program that
is published and distributed prior to the parade.
Also please note that the final registration cutoff
date is June 30. No entries can be accepted after
that date.
About
1 week prior to the parade, you will receive detailed
information regarding check-in time, your place
in line, parking instructions, route map, etc.
We want
to express our sincere thanks to all the participants
who made our 2007 parade such a wonderful event.
We hope to see all of you back again in 2008. It
is never too early to register for the next parade,
so feel free to go to the PARADE ENTRANTS page
at any time and register for 2008.
Click
on the link below to register and we'll reserve
your spot in the parade!