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Community Corner

Beautification Committee Steps In to Sponsor Half Moon Bay's Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade

With ever-increasing costs, traditional, beloved, small town events can be a daunting challenge to keep afloat financially. Sometimes.

Half Moon Bay’s Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade was in this predicament until the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee, organizer of the enormously successful Pumpkin Festival, stepped in this year to help underwrite and organize the treasured community celebration. 

Going forward, the Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade Committee, co-chaired by Cameron Palmer and Roxy Stone, will be organized and operate as a sub-committee of the Beautification Committee. This arrangement will bring financial stability and an organizational structure that will help sustain the parade for many years to come.

“The Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade is a revered, time-honored institution in our community. It’s unfathomable to think about the 4th of July without it," said Palmer. “Every year people come out in droves to get a good viewing spot on Main Street. You can see how much folks love its small town charm and tradition and the Beautification Committee feels honored and privileged to help keep it alive."

Starting at 12 noon, the delightful, home-spun parade, fronted by the San Mateo County Sheriffs and CalFire, celebrates classic small town American spirit with an entertaining array of whimsical floats, marching bands, community service groups, classically cool cars, decorated trikes and bikes, "Pooches on Parade", youth sports teams, dance and theatre troupes, a Color Guard by the American Legion, and local dignitaries and celebrities slowly winding their way through the crowded downtown along Main Street between Filbert and Mill Streets.

Honoring Half Moon Bay’s western heritage and always a parade highlight, there will be a large number of equine entries with prizes awarded in several categories.

Half Moon Bay’s famous, 40-member strong “Sitting Marching Band” will be in their usual perch at Main and Kelly playing an array of patriotic ballads during the parade.

Legendary comedian and political satirist Will Durst will serve as parade grand marshal. Durst will be debuting his new show BoomerAging: From LSD to OMG at Half Moon Bay’s Award-Winning Coastal Repertory Theatre, July 5-6.

The Half Moon Bay Lions Club will be hosting its annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast at Mac Dutra Park beginning at 8 am. “We’re deeply appreciative of the Lions Club longtime support of the parade festivities – they’re a major contributor to making it all possible,” said Palmer.

Those interested in participating can find parade entry forms at City Hall, Half Moon Bay Feed & Fuel and Cameron’s Inn.

For information on the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee, visit http://pumpkinfest.miramarevents.com/hmbbc-facts.html

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