Beautification Committee Presents the 45th Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade

Let the good times roll! This year marking it’s 45th rendition, Half Moon Bay’s beloved Ol’ Fashioned 4th of July Parade takes over Main Street on Saturday transforming the charming downtown into a pulsating Coastsider take on a mini-Mardi Gras style celebration.

Starting at 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.

For many locals, it’s one of their favorite events of the year.

But, like in many small towns across America in recent years, it almost went away. Facing increasing costs and a lack of funding and volunteer support, in 2014 parade organizers turned to the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee, organizer of the enormously successful Pumpkin Festival, who then agreed 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, is now organized and operated as a sub-committee of the Beautification Committee. This arrangement brings 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 simply not possible for me to think about the 4th of July without it,” said Palmer. “Every year locals come out in droves to get a prime viewing spot on Main Street. You can see how much folks love its small town charm and tradition and the Beautification Committee is honored and privileged to help keep it alive.”

The Half Moon Bay Lions Club will be hosting its annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast in the City Hall parking lot (501 Main Street) 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 or online at miramarevents.com/events

• --News Release from Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee