by Laura Monteros
For some reason, despite all the fireworks and civic events, it seems the best way to celebrate the Fourth of July is with a good old-fashioned neighborhood parade. Kids on bikes and scooters, dogs decked out in red, white, and blue, parents pushing strollers reflect the Spirit of ‘76 in homespun.
Sonoma Drive celebrated its 54th annual event on Thursday, with about 60 folks from the neighborhood walking the route that wends along Sonoma Drive, Mar Vista Avenue, Boston Street, Holliston Avenue, and Morada Place.
Neighbors began trickling in about half past nine with goodies for the potluck snack table. Reggie Ingram mounted a step ladder to gather folks for a photo and to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and the parade stepped off about a quarter past 10, led by Craig Boatman in his bright red 1954 Austin panel truck with the “British Express” decal on the side.
The pace car was the only full-size motorized vehicle and was largely ignored by parade participants, who sped ahead on bikes or straggled behind at their own walking pace.
The Boatmans have been coming to the parade about 20 years, but some have participated even longer. Tom Lansing started as a child in the mid-‘60s when his family lived on Sonoma, and as a an adult, he moved back to the street. On the other end of the spectrum was Scott Garrels and his family, recent move-ins who were joining in for the first time. And then there were those who have been in the parade all their lives, including 5-year-old Nicholas and 7-year-old Rocco Boyadjian.
Why do this and other hyper-local parades keep going for so long? As Anne Lansing observed, “It’s a fun community thing to do.” Indeed. PIctures after the jump.
1. Reggie Ingram tries to organize what may not be organizable.
2. Scott and Anisa Garrels
3. Stragglers
4. Going to the dogs.
5. Lining up for the group shot.
6. Judy Cobb directs traffic.
7. Levi and Danny Geer
8. Nicholas and Rocco Boyadjian
9. The Boatman's vintage Austin was the only motorized vehicle in this parade.
10. Danielle D'Antuono
Ed. note: Got a name wrong -- it's the Boatmans! Thanks for the multiple corrections on this!
