It should be less quiet than prior years around Hollister over
the Fourth of July weekend, with no official biker event planned in
2010.
It should be less quiet than prior years around Hollister over the Fourth of July weekend, with no official biker event planned in 2010.
Still, there are other traditional activities for residents to enjoy, such as the annual fireworks celebration at Maze Middle School and the Kiddie Parade as well. Both are Sunday, with the parade set for 10 a.m. and the fireworks scheduled to start at dusk.
The parade will start at Commuter Parking Lot at Veterans Memorial Park and will continue north on Memorial Drive to Maze, where there will be a short program. Children of all ages are welcome to walk or ride a bike, skateboard, roller-skates or whatever other mode of transport might be the latest trend. All entrants get an American flag. The parade is put on by the Fourth of July Celebration Committee and is sponsored by the city and the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce.
“The Kiddie Parade’s a lot of fun. Some kids decorate their bikes themselves,” said City Clerk Geri Johnson.
The fireworks display will go off from the field next to Maze. They are donated from the celebration committee and through proceeds raised by fireworks booths around town. As Johnson noted, thousands of residents usually attend the festivities, with the show lasting around 20 minutes.
“It’s going to be a great show,” Johnson said.
Fire crews are ready in case any accidents occur with all the festivities going on, albeit with fewer resources this year due to budget cutbacks.
Without an event focused just on bikers, the police department is treating it like a “holiday weekend,” said Sgt. David Westrick, a department spokesman. He noted how it will be busy with a little more drinking than usual and hot temperatures, prompting extra patrols. He mentioned how an outside grant will fund extra time spent on patrols for driving under the influence.
“I think we’re going to be doing what we do for any busy holiday weekend,” Westrick said.
Though there won’t be a repeat of the Gypsy Tour biker event, there is a Gypsy Cruisers Car & Bike Show scheduled for Saturday at Bolado Park.
