Hollister
– Some will be riding big wheels. Some will be riding tricycles
or bicycles. The smaller ones might be pulled in a wagon or pushed
in a stroller. But all of them – the tiny tots marching in the
annual Fourth of July Kiddie Parade – will be flying, waving or
wearing red, white and blue.
Hollister – Some will be riding big wheels. Some will be riding tricycles or bicycles. The smaller ones might be pulled in a wagon or pushed in a stroller. But all of them – the tiny tots marching in the annual Fourth of July Kiddie Parade – will be flying, waving or wearing red, white and blue.
“We just want to celebrate our nation’s birthday,” said Geri Johnson, chair of the Fourth of July Celebration Committee, which organizes the parade and the fireworks show. “It’s open to kids of all ages.”
Participants get a hand-held flag to start, and after a half-hour walk down Memorial Drive, the kids will refresh themselves with cookies and punch at Marguerite Maze Middle School before the ceremony, during which they’ll recite the pledge of allegiance and sing a few patriotic songs. They’ll be joined by Vice Mayor Brad Pike, who plans to walk with his 8- and 10-year-old sons.
“Let them start learning early about Independence Day,” Pike said. “Let them enjoy what freedom means. Any activity that can include the whole family is important to me.”
Betsy Ross, who sewed the first American flag, and Uncle Sam look-alikes will be leading the parade. It launches at 10am from the commuter parking lot at Veteran’s Memorial Park. No registration is required; participants can just show up.
Johnson reckons this is the parade’s 15th year running and remembers between 30 and 50 children joining in last year. She said the committee is expecting a bigger turnout on Tuesday.
“It’s really fun because people line up on Memorial Drive between Hillcrest Road and Meridian Street to watch the kids go by,” she said.
The Chamber of Commerce footed the insurance bill for the parade. McDonald’s is donating the cookies. Waste Management is donating a handful of portable toilets for the ceremony. The committee bought the flags and punch with donations, and the Hollister police will work with traffic. A fireworks show starts at dusk at the Marguerite Maze Middle School.
Banks Albach covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335.
