Santa Clara Parade Of Champs Showcases 4 Grand Marshals

SANTA CLARA, CA — Before there was Megan Rapinoe, there was Brandi Chastain — a two-time gold medalist and FIFA Women's World Cup champion from Santa Clara.

Chastain, who is best known for ripping off her shirt after a penalty kick that granted the United States its landmark World Cup win in 1999, will lead as one of four grand marshals in the Santa Clara Parade of Champions set for 11 a.m. Saturday in the historic downtown district.

The sports broadcaster and coach, who was inducted in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame the following year, is retired from the world of soccer but will be joined in her old hometown by another Santa Clara University alumni — top-ranked NCAA Women's Soccer Coach Jerry Smith. The SCU duo will be joined by baseball great Carney Lansford and Wilcox High School Head Football Coach Paul Rosa, who grew up with the program.

"We're so excited about what we have this year," parade spokeswoman Ana Vargas said.

The parade is the highlight of the festivities that run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's filled with dignitaries, equestrians, marchers, floats, car clubs and at least 11 marching bands expected to bring out more than 2,000 people along Lafayette Street in historic downtown.

For 75 years, this South Bay city has made this event a legacy tribute that over the decades has paid homage to its founders Larry Marsalli and Ed Cunha and was established to celebrate the return of the town's World War II heroes. Their respective wives, Elise Marsalli and Bea Cunha, will be on hand as honored guests.

The parade has grown through the years with the help of the Young Men's Institute in showcasing the finest in the categories of veterans, nonprofits, business, education, arts, cultural, sports and civic groups.

Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor has taken to the parade streets 11 times as a child.

More information on Santa Clara's signature event may be found by visiting www.scparadeofchampions.org.

Everyone loves a parade, but it's not everyday one that's this much of a spectacle closes 10 streets. The city of Santa Clara warned visitors and residents the parade blankets the streets of the town.

Temporary "no parking" signs will be posted along the 1.1-mile parade route that starts at Lafayette and Bellomy streets. It will move along Lafayette Street, turn left at Benton Street and left again on Monroe Street. The parade will end at the corner of Bellomy and Monroe streets.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic:

• Lafayette Street, between Bellomy Street and Benton Street
• Monroe Street, between Poplar Street and Benton Street
• Benton Street, between Monroe Street and Lafayette Street
• Bellomy Street, between Monroe Street and Lafayette Street
• Homestead Road, between Monroe Street and Lafayette Street
• Santa Clara Street, between Monroe Street and Lafayette Street
• Market Street, between Monroe Street and Lafayette Street
• Jackson Street, between Benton Street and Monroe Street
• Main Street, between Homestead Road and Market Street
• Washington Street, between Homestead Road and Bellomy Street

Walking, cycling, carpooling, ride-sharing and taking public transportation are strongly encouraged for those wanting to attend.