On Wednesday, the Mendocino Fourth of July Parade starts at 12 noon on Main Street. The parade has been held for many years, as the 1890 picture attests. Although many of the vehicles use internal combustion engines now, I have a sneaking suspicion that you would find the same eclectic mix of fun, sophisticated political humor, and general silliness back then. There’s something about the area that leads me to wonder…. The car above has been decorated by Larry Fuente, a well-known local artist. You also might find circus performers from the Flynn Creek Circus, and animals and kids and women with big hair and electric vehicles and dancers and musicians and pretty much anything else. About 5000 people (5 times the population!) line the streets of Mendocino for the parade. Occasionally, some of the entries will even go around twice!
The parade is sponsored by the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce, and Tom Yates broadcasts the event live from the judges stand on KOZT The Coast. Check out the live broadcast at 95.3 FM, or you can listen to the broadcast over the Web at www.kozt.com.
After the parade, the Kelley House Museum hosts a barbeque on the lawn, directly across from the judges stand near the east end of Main Street. Come cool off after the parade with a beer and a hot dog!
