One of Redwood City’s oldest traditions—the Fourth of July Parade—is slated to return this year after a two-year absence because of the Covid pandemic. The parade and the festival which follows it are sponsored by a nonprofit group, the Peninsula Celebration Association. The PCA is putting out the word to people and organizations interested in getting involved—being a part of the parade or making it happen. “There was definitely an interest and we thought it would be a good year to come back,” says PCA member Kathy Ailand of the decision to take the plunge after a two-year hiatus. “And we thought people need something.”
Redwood Shores resident Bob Slusser, a longtime PCA volunteer, says in this comeback year, the parade will have fewer units (85 to 100 versus 125 to 150) and as a result will be shorter. But applications have been coming in. The one-and-a-third mile route through downtown streets will be the same as usual. Slusser is in charge of the parade and encourages anyone who would like to be in it to go to the website, parade.org, to apply. The PCA holds a “float clinic” to help groups which would like to build one. This year’s theme is “Heroes and Helpers,” and that should inspire creative ideas.
There are many ways to volunteer before and during the big event, such as posting no-parking signs, helping to put out barricades or serving as parade marshals. “We could always use help,” says Ailand, who is in charge of the festival. “It’s all volunteer.”
