4th of July Parade Video Unveiled

NOVATO, CA – In March 2021, when the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was unknown, the all-volunteer Novato 4th of July Parade Committee made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person parade. So much was still unknown then whether social distancing rules and other pandemic regulations would still be in place for July.

Instead, Novato residents and businesses were invited to share video clips and photos for a special 4th of July video way to document hometown spirit on Independence Day. The community responded in a big way, with hundreds of fun submissions.

The red-white-and-blue result – the best virtual celebration that can be mustered – is launching on YouTube and NovatoParade.com at 10 a.m. Sunday to correspond with the traditional start time of the parade. Novato Community Television plans to air the program on Comcast channel 26 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday, July 4, and 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday, July 5.

Clips were submitted between March and early June, and the nonprofit Parade Committee compiled them into a one-hour video. Viewers will see appearances from annual parade participants of all ages, nonprofits, businesses, sponsors, and local elected officials. The theme is “Honoring our Hometown Heroes,” a tribute to those who helped Novato get through pandemic.

The parade has been the largest single-day holiday celebration of its kind in the North Bay since the civic tradition was revived in 1993 and usually attracts an estimated 10,000 people along the seven-tenths of a mile along Grant Avenue. The public health emergency put a halt to the parade in 2020 and 2021.

“We know that there was a lot of disappointment about the decision to cancel, but public safety had to be our top priority,” said Committee Chair Pam Wycliffe. “Planning the parade is a year-round endeavor for our volunteers, and we could not wait any longer to see how things were going. We hope everyone understands. We plan to be put on our best parade ever next year.”

The Novato July 4th Parade Committee is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit group and receives in-kind and financial support from the County of Marin, the City of Novato, and many sponsors and donors.