From the beach to the mountains, there are plenty of patriotic processions. The Fourth of July is around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday than with one of the parades taking place? From Santa Cruz to Watsonville, Santa Cruz County has plenty of parades to offer this Independence Day.
Families can start the morning in Boulder Creek with a pancake breakfast, hit Aptos to catch the “World’s Shortest Parade,” or head to Watsonville to kick off the 4th of July with a flyover by the West Coast Ravens.
Seabright’s inaugural Fourth of July Parade
The Seabright neighborhood is hosting its first Fourth of July parade.
Starting at 10am in front of the Seabright Beach parking lot on East Cliff Drive (near Cliff Drive Vista Point), the parade will follow East Cliff Drive before turning onto Seabright Avenue. It is scheduled to end at the intersection of Seabright Avenue and Murray Street in front of Day’s Market by approximately 11am.
Event Coordinator Shane Skelton started organizing the parade a year ago, working with the Santa Cruz Neighbors Association to put it together.
“I’ve always thought it would be really cool if Santa Cruz actually had a Fourth of July parade,” said Skelton. “It’s nice just to be able to walk down to a parade and enjoy it in your own neighborhood.”
The parade will include live music, themed vehicle floats and costumed participants. Locals can apply to volunteer for event setup or to participate.
Local drivers should plan in advance, as parts of East Cliff Drive and Seabright Avenue will be closed to through traffic from 8am–noon. In addition, starting at 7am, “No Parking” mandates will be in effect along the parade route.
Parade starting address: Cliff Drive Vista Point, 1156 East Cliff Drive
Ending address: Day’s Market, 526 Seabright Ave.
Boulder Creek’s over 100-year-old parade
The Fourth of July parade traditions will extend into the Santa Cruz Mountains, where the town is hosting its annual Fourth of July Parade in the historic downtown of Boulder Creek, according to Tess Fitzgerald, president of the Boulder Creek Business Association.
The Parade will run from 10am–noon in downtown Boulder Creek, but the Fourth of July festivities will begin well before, at 7am., with a pancake breakfast at the Boulder Creek firehouse, additionally hosted by the Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department.
Prices are $5 for children under 12 and $15 for adults. Proceeds from the breakfast will go towards purchasing medical and rescue equipment for the department.
“It’s just a really good family event,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s a lot of fun — we love it.”
The parade will be grand marshaled by Dr. Kenneth Reed, a longtime community physician, said Fitzgerald.
According to the association, in 2005, Reed came out of retirement to help provide medical care for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.
He’s served the Boulder Creek community for decades and has been a longtime supporter of the business association, Fitzgerald added. “One of those quiet helpers that don’t really look for attention, but aim to serve.”
The parade will include decorative floats and is aiming to have about 70 entries, according to Fitzgerald.
“And I heard it on good authority that we’ll have the sheriff up there,” said Fitzgerald. “So we’ll have our little semi-celebrity rolling through the parade as well.”
Following the parade, at Junction Park, the Boulder Creek Recreation and Parks District is hosting a “4th of July BBQ & Bands Party” from noon–4pm.
The event will feature gold panning for children, local vendors, food trucks, beverages, and live music from two bands, said Kelly Pruden, the event coordinator and office manager.
Drivers in the area should plan for a closure of Highway 9 through downtown Boulder Creek for the duration of the parade, approximately 10am–noon, according to Pruden, with a detour route provided.
To register a parade entry or for more information, individuals can visit the Boulder Creek Business Association website (bcba.net).
Parade starting address: Downtown Boulder Creek, Mountain Street, Boulder Creek
Parade ending address: CA-9 & CA-236, Boulder Creek
BBQ & Bands After Party: Junction Park, Middleton Avenue and Junction Avenue, Boulder Creek
Pancake breakfast: Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire House, 13230 Central Avenue, Boulder Creek
In Scotts Valley: A parade that starts with a plane
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?… Wait, no, it’s a 4th of July Parade and Block Party (with a flyover).
The City of Scotts Valley is hosting a 4th of July Parade, starting at 11am. The parade will kick off with a flyover, then march up and down Scotts Valley Drive before ending at Carbonero Way.
Coinciding with the parade, from 9am–3pm, the city will co-host a Block Party with the Boys and Girls Club on Scotts Valley Drive, featuring food trucks from Food Trucks A Go Go,and live music, with a beer garden hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley. The city’s Parks and Recreation department will block off the parking lot for the festivities, which will be decked out with awnings and hay bales for seating and optimal viewing of the parade.
Attendees should note that parts of Scotts Valley Drive will be closed for the festivities.
Parade starting and ending address: Scotts Valley Dr. and Carbonero Way, Scotts Valley
Block party address: Boys and Girls Club, 5060 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley
In Aptos: the “World’s Shortest Parade”
In Aptos, for the 65th year in a row, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce is organizing the “World’s Shortest Parade,” which may be short in length, but won’t be short on fun.
Starting at 10am in front of the Wells Fargo Bank at the corner of State Park Drive and Soquel Drive in Aptos Village, the parade will last about an hour and will be grand marshaled by Seascape Golf Club in honor of the club’s 100th anniversary, according to the Aptos Chamber of Commerce.
According to John Hibble, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director, in 1961, the parade was created to celebrate the rejection of the Granite Rock Company’s proposal to move to Aptos. The celebratory parade on the following 4th of July lasted only 10 minutes, earning it the name “World’s Shortest Parade.”
Following the parade, from noon–4pm, spectators can attend the party at Aptos Village County Park. The park will include live music from The Joint Chiefs, vendors, food and drink, and fun for the whole family.
To register to participate in or sponsor the parade, individuals can visit the Chamber of Commerce website or call 831-688-1467.
Parade starting address: Wells Fargo Bank, corner of State Park Drive and Soquel Drive, 7701 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Celebrate the Spirit of Watsonville Parade
The City of Watsonville is hosting the Spirit of Watsonville Parade, starting at 12:30pm in the historic downtown.
The parade will plans to feature community organizations, local businesses, and public safety personnel, along with a flyover by the West Coast Ravens.
Following the parade, at the Watsonville Municipal Airport, residents can attend the Fire in the Sky Open House. The event includes plans for aircraft displays, flyovers, live music, a patriotic parachute flag jump, and more, starting at 4:30pm. To end the evening, a fireworks show will begin at roughly 8:30pm.
Drivers should be aware that Main Street between Freedom Boulevard and First Street, as well as neighboring streets, will be temporarily closed from 8:30am to 4:30pm. In addition, from 3pm to 8pm, due to the Fire in the Sky event, Airport Boulevard between Hangar Way and Airport Road will be closed.
Residents and drivers can visit watsonville.gov for more information on the upcoming events and traffic.
Parade starting address: St Patrick’s Catholic Parish, 721 Main Street, Watsonville
Fire in the Sky Open House: Watsonville Municipal Airport, 100 Aviation Way, Watsonville
Source: GoodTimes Santa Cruz
