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Independence Day brings city together

Freedom rang out across downtown Vallejo on Thursday, filling the city with the holiday sounds of truck horns, car stereos, boom boxes, a marching band, and even a gospel choir.

Hundreds lined the streets for Vallejo’s 169th annual Fourth of July Parade, braving the heat to see local organizations like martial arts studios, youth sports teams, churches, political candidates and more.

Freedom rang out across downtown Vallejo on Thursday, filling the city with the holiday sounds of truck horns, car stereos, boom boxes, a marching band, and even a gospel choir.

Hundreds lined the streets for Vallejo’s 169th annual Fourth of July Parade, braving the heat to see local organizations like martial arts studios, youth sports teams, churches, political candidates and more.

Trevor Allen, the Executive Director of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, was on a float the organization commissioned to look like the USS Saginaw, a ship constructed in Vallejo in the mid-1800s. Allen came dressed as a U.S. Naval Officer but was easily mistaken for a pirate.

“The tricorn hat can be confusing,” he admitted.

Rather than being marooned on the high seas, this version of the ship was beached on the asphalt of Broadway Street as the float experienced a technical difficulty after hitting a pothole.

“Normally seagoing ships don’t have wheels, but unfortunately we do and the front wheel has snapped,” he said.

Allen didn’t let it put a damper on the experience, he said. The organization was happy to be back for its second year in the event. Despite wearing a heavy naval coat in the summer sun, Allen was all smiles.

“I’m melting inside but that’s alright,” he joked, “It’s about how you look, and I always like dressing up for the parade.”

Allen said the parade presents an excellent opportunity to showcase what the museum does, including partnerships in music, theatre, art, film and community events.

“What I wish they knew is that we are open and we are the Vallejo Museum,” he said. “A lot of people confuse us with the Mare Island Museum, which makes sense because they have a naval component, whereas we’re the naval and historical museum.

“As a history museum, we’re really about the history of Vallejo.”

Independence Day felt particularly important this year to Allen, who believes it’s a day to celebrate freedom from tyranny.

“I think the Independence Day celebration this year is really important — to say that democracy matters,” he said.

The grand marshals for the parade were automobile businessman Avery Greene of Avery Greene Honda and Myrna Hayes, the Mare Island Heritage Trust president.

Willy Escobedo, a veteran from American Canyon, said he came out to support the VFW and spend the morning with his family. They come to the parade each year, although the heat made for a shorter stay.

“It’s great to bring the kids out, even if it’s just for a little bit, to enjoy the festivities,” he said.

The parade has lasted three or four hours in the past, he said, and is always a good time. Escobedo said he’s proud to see an event celebrating freedom in the community.

That freedom stems from democracy, and with democracy comes election season, which candidates were gearing up for at the parade. Several candidates for public office in Vallejo entered the parade, including mayoral candidate Pippen Dew and city council candidates Alexander Matias and Brenda Plechaty, both running in District 1.

The parade is a longstanding Vallejo tradition that Plechaty is proud to be a part of.

“I’ve been in the parade for years through the straits of Mare Island rowing association,” she said. “Since I decided to run I decided I should be in it promoting myself.”

Plechaty said entertainment options like the parade are critical for all communities, offering a chance to get outside and enjoy their hometown.

“It brings everybody together to realize that there is good and fun here,” she said. “It’s a family town. It’s meant to be a family town, so you can come, bring your kids, feel safe, and just have a great day.”


https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2024/07/04/independence-day-in-the-bay/

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