Gilroyans celebrate with parade, fireworks and barbecues
Gilroy – It was another good old fashion Fourth of July celebration on Poppy Lane.
The annual Poppy Lane Parade went off like it always does – in patriotic fashion. “Parade Marshal” Nick Zukowski lead the parade down the tree-lined road, wearing a cartoon top hat of red, white and blue stars and stripes and tugging along his dog and a boom box blaring patriotic music.
Behind him was a succession of kids, some walked or made their way on scooters, while most were towed along in wagons.
“Last year a lot of these women were pregnant and a week (after the parade) they had their babies,” said resident and parade organizer Linda Zukowski. “Now, they’re all here with the little ones.”
Linda Zukowski said the parade is a chance for all the neighbors to get together and take a break from their busy lives. She said it’s also a bonus to see the grandchildren.
The Poppy Lane Parade goes back to the mid-1970s and was originally held on Braquet Lane, just north of its current location. The organizers of the neighborhood celebration said the parade changes every year, sometimes it’s large and sometimes it’s small. This year was one of the bigger parades they’ve had in a while they said, with about 30 adults and children who participated in the celebration.
Michael Terry, 6, rode his silver Porsche down Poppy Lane, tugging along 3-year-old Jordan Mager while she sat in her “Red Flyer” wagon. This was Michael’s second and favorite parade “because it went fast,” he said.
Family of the residents came in from all parts of the country to partake in the festivities. Some showed up from southern California while others came from Oregon. Most of the visitors were once the children in the parade; now they’ve grown up and have kids of their own.
On the side of the road under the shade of a tree, 93-year-old Josephine Cali sat in a chair proudly wearing a VIP ribbon “for being the oldest person at the parade” her son John Cali said. She said she has shown up for every parade.
“I come every year for my son,” Josephine Cali said.
But it wouldn’t have been the Poppy Lane Parade without the animals. Most people brought their dogs, like Pam Rubio whose two 100-pound black Newfoundland dogs pulled her grandchildren in a carriage like princesses riding a chariot.
It wasn’t just dogs who attended the celebration, though, a donkey, a miniature horse and a la mancha Nigerian dwarf goat also made an appearance.
But most of the day belonged to the families.
“I think it’s fun and I can’t wait for our children to participate each year,” said Trista Zukowski as she pulled her daughter and niece in a wagon. “This is our new family tradition.”
While those on Poppy Lane paraded down the street others used the holiday as a chance to go to the local outlets to shop, while others took their kids to Bonfante Gardens to celebrate the Fourth with some entertainment. Still, others visited local parks.
Children played on the jungle gym at Las Animas Veteran’s Park as others barbecued hamburgers and steaks.
Tina Flores watched the 34th Annual Fourth of July softball tournament at Las Animas with her friends under the cool shade of trees. She said the Fourth of July meant fireworks and partying. Don’t forget food, she added.
But Stella Hernandez said there was more to the day than just watching fireworks and a softball game.
“At the same time we need to remember all the soldiers out there fighting for us,” Hernandez said. “We should keep them in mind.”
