Neighborhood parties highlight celebrations
Gilroy – Independence Day is not just barbecues and fireworks, baseball games and beers. The Fourth of July is one day the residents of Poppy Lane come out in patriotic style, drawing family members from across state lines.
Neighborhood parades aren’t usually publicized and don’t draw the same crowd as the National Parade on Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C., or even the Morgan Hill Fourth of July Parade, but they unite communities one house at a time.
With American flags waving, and trucks decorated in the holiday’s signature red, white and blue – neighbors came out donning their stars and stripes – even Polly, a miniature donkey with painted hooves – made her debut in the neighborhood’s 30th annual Fourth of July parade.
“It seems to me these neighborhood Fourth of July parades are unique to California,” said Philip Pauley who came down for the parade from Sacramento. His son lives in the Poppy Lane neighborhood and told him it was an event not to be missed.
Pauley wore his NYFD hat and pointed to the processional of children, dogs, horses and donkey that were marching down Poppy Lane.
“Here they come,” he said grinning.
Some children were pushed in strollers and are too young to remember the day. Little Christopher Gorgulho may not understand exactly why his bike his decorated with blue and red pinwheels and an American flag, but someday he will.
“I went fast,” he said excitedly.
And time will go by just as quickly.
“It doesn’t seem that long ago that you were babies in the parade,” grandparents told their children – who stood watching their own kids parading down Poppy Lane.
Longtime parade organizer John Cali can remember when his two children walked in the procession.
Cali and neighbors started the parade in 1975.
“It was … just like this,” he said laughing. “All the kids brought their animals. Now they’re all grandkids.”
As the neighborhood grew – so did its participants. Eventually, the children who once marched down Poppy Lane moved away. The parade stopped for a year or two.
People started asking, “Why isn’t there a parade?” Cali explained. So the organizers brought it back, and the original little patriots returned with their own children who picked up where their parents left off – waving flags and carrying balloons.
“It’s just a real tradition,” Cali said. “This must be the longest running (neighborhood parade) in Gilroy.”
Cali’s wife, Chris, was one of the neighborhood judges who selected winners in categories such as Best Dog or Cat, Most Patriotic and Best Farm Animal.
She rounded up the crowd to announce the winners. Children anxiously waited to hear their names called and sat facing the judges, ribbons trailing behind their bikes.
“I haven’t seen some of these kids in 10 years,” Cali said. “The best part is … I remember Nikki when she was born,” he pointed at pregnant woman leading two little girls. “That’s what happens … everyone brings their kids back.”
Even the street is red, white and blue, right down to the napkins, which were patterned after the American flag.
After the parade, the block party continues. The neighborhood gathers for traditional holiday fun: Sack races, a pie eating contest, swimming, three–legged races, and an egg toss.
“I think it’s great that neighbors can get together and celebrate the Fourth of July,” said Pat Manson whose grandchildren were in the parade. “We came all the way from Oregon to (watch.) It’s been going on a long, long time.”
At the same time just up the highway in Morgan Hill, an estimated 34,000 people spent their Fourth of July morning along Monterey Street watching the 111th annual parade.
Numerous parade-watching veterans claimed the prime real estate along the street’s curb Sunday night to ensure they had the best vantage point to see what resident’s call the “best parade in northern California.”
The tolling of the church bells and the release of white doves at 10am, marked the beginning of the parade.
Fire trucks and ambulances lead the parade procession and were followed by the wide array of colorful floats, crazy clowns, horses and flag-toting tikes.
Overhead, 1941 Stearman bi-planes called the Sprit of Freedom Flight made two passes, leaving behind trails of white smoke and delighting the large crowd.
Gilroy’s Rob Barthelman has brought his family to the parade every year since moving to the area five years ago.
“I love it. It’s great for the kids,” Barthelman said. “I keep coming for the length and variation of the parade.”
Barthelman’s 3-year-old daughter Reese took a simpler view.
She said the fire trucks were her favorite part of the parade.
“This was just outstanding to see how the spectators were so appreciative of the efforts of the participants,” said Bob Hunt, the parade chair. “I’ve never seen so many people.”
The appreciation didn’t only surprise Hunt, it also shocked the participants.
“When we went down Monterey, everybody just stood,” said Barbera Serrano, who rode on the Blue Star Moms float which carried photos of their loved ones serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. “They cheered and they waved and we cried. It was incredible.”
The annual event has attracted crowds from all over the state for decades – two of which traveled thousands of miles to see this year’s procession.
Claire and Liz Allen climbed on their motorcycles and rode all the way from Victoria, British Colombia to watch Morgan Hill’s celebrations.
“This was just very festive and very patriotic,” said Claire Allen, who said she enjoyed the animals in particular.
They both said the journey was well worth it.
Kristen Munson is a staff writer for the Gilroy Dispatch. Reach her at 847–7097 or at km*****@************ch.com. Cheeto Barrera of the Morgan Hill Times also contributed to this report.
