 | | | The Friends of the Moraga Adobe ride in horse-drawn style along the parade route. Photo Sora O'Doherty | | | | | | Having only missed one year since its inception in 1984, the Orinda Fourth of July Parade was back in 2021, a little bit smaller, but still replete with bands, politicians, cars and even airplanes. With 38 entries, the parade was announced at its starting point in the Theatre District by Bill Cosden and on the Village side by the "Voice of Orinda," Steve Harwood and Scott Butler at the Orinda Community Center. At the conclusion of the parade, there was a special fly-over of vintage planes by the Memorial Squadron in honor of America's Independence Day and in support of the "Best Home Town" parade in America.
The parade committee was co-chaired by Diane Lautz and President Bill Waterman of the Orinda Association. This year, for the first time ever, the event was live-streamed by three separate cameras filming from different angles. The live-stream was also recorded, and is available for viewing on YouTube.
The event opened with the raising of the American flag at 9 a.m. The Lewiston Jazz Band from Berkeley played at 9:30 a.m., and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Friends of the Orinda Library held its annual book sale on the library plaza. Before the parade began in the Theatre District, the winners of the winter Lamorinda Idol sang the national anthem.
Following Sen. Steve Glazer, the parade ended with the Orinda Volunteer Pick-Up Marching Band, playing the national anthem and five songs honoring the United States Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. The band is organized by Colleen McCormack, owner of Lamorinda Music. Other bands included the Silicon Valley Bagpipe Band, St. Gabriel's Band, and the East Bay Banjo Band. Other entertainment included stilt walkers, the brass boppers and the Spirit of '29, a Dixieland Jazz Band.
Many public service groups, such as Orinda Rotary, Moms Demand Action, Friends of the Moraga Adobe, Friends of Wagner Ranch, Friends of Orinda Creeks, the Peter Pan Foundation, Orinda Masonic, the Lamorinda Order of DeMolay the Lamorinda 4H and the California Rescue Dog Association also marched in the parade. The Friends of the Orinda Library also participated, in addition to library staff. Local businesses were also represented, including Orinda Motors, Blodgetts, The Forge Pizza Truck, Mechanic's Bank, Expert Tree Service, Uncle Sams Go Karts.
The arts were represented by The Orinda Starlight Village Players and Lamorinda Idol. First responders included the Orinda Police Department and Rescue One from MOFD, while local government was represented by Orinda mayor Amy Worth and vice mayor Dennis Fay. Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan rode with the Moms Demand Action. Miramonte High School was in evidence with the football team and cheerleaders, as well as the track team. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA