Details for the first — and perhaps last — La Cañada Flintridge Hometown Parade are being finalized, with the event scheduled to take place Monday, July 5, along Foothill Boulevard.
July 5 is serving as a holiday since the Fourth of July falls this year on a Sunday.
La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Pat Anderson said the Hometown Parade will be somewhat of a substitute for the annual Fiesta Days Parade, which is typically held on Memorial Day. The city’s usual festivities during the final weekend of May fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic for the second consecutive year.
“There is a lot of excitement for this year’s parade,” Anderson said. “It will be a fun and enjoyable time for the community as it heads down Foothill Boulevard. We are very optimistic.”
Anderson said the Fiesta Days Parade typically has 100 to 110 entries. The July 5 parade will be “about half that size,” she said.
“In terms of entries, we’re about where we thought we would be,” Anderson said. “Many people are going to be out of town; they either want to travel or at least have a getaway with their families. We certainly understand that.”
The Chamber, which organizes the Fiesta Days Parade and other events over Memorial Day weekend, had to essentially organize this year’s parade “in three weeks since we got the green light [from health department officials] from what is usually six months” of planning and preparation time, Anderson said.
Like past Fiesta Days parades, the Hometown Parade will include equestrian units, bands, politicians, law enforcement and fire department personnel, and award-winning individuals from various community organizations, many of whom will be riding in vehicles (although some may walk).
“There is going to be lots of music and noise,” Anderson said. “And everybody loves to see the horses on Foothill Boulevard.”
The parade’s theme is “Dare Mighty Things,” with Jet Propulsion Laboratory serving as the official grand marshal. JPL’s representative will be Jennifer Harris Trosper, who was the project manager of the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover.
Anderson previously noted that none of the weekend events are technically unaffiliated with Fiesta Days, a citywide tradition established in 1974. However, the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA is hosting its annual YMCA Family (Fiesta Days) Run at 7 a.m. on July 5, and the city of LCF is kicking off its Music in the Park summer concert series with Captain Cardiac & the Coronaries at 3:30 p.m.
Local residents and businesses interested in participating or sponsoring the event may call the Chamber at (818) 790-4289.
