Members of the Orinda All Volunteer Pick Up Marching Band play patriotic favorites at last year’s Fourth of July Parade.
July Fourth may seem far away as graduation takes center stage during June. But it will be here before you know it.
Now is the time to check out all your red, white and blue clothing, and if you need to add to your wardrobe, The Orinda Association (OA) will have T-shirts for sale. Purchase them the day of the parade at The Orinda Association booth in the park or call 925-254-0800 to purchase in advance.
Festivities begin with the Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary’s pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. with the parade starting at 10 a.m. A complete timeline, including the flag raising ceremony, fun run and more, can be found on page 3.
For a booth in the park, where the concert and lots of fun activities take place after the parade, deadlines are almost here. Food and beverage booth applications are due June 5 with non-profit booth applications due June 19. Both applications can be found on The Orinda Association’s website (www.orindaassociation.org/participate-parade).
Those wishing to be part of the “Best Hometown Parade Ever” need to have their parade application forms in by June 23. These can also be found on The Orinda Association website. With an opportunity to get creative, the parade features myriad groups, from local preschools to swim teams to marching bands to local residents displaying their classic automobiles.
One marching band that exemplifies the hometown experience is the Orinda All Volunteer Pick Up Marching Band. This group plays at the beginning and the end of the parade. Made up of musicians with at least two years of experience, the band plays a variety of Sousa and patriotic songs as well as the official songs for the United States Armed Forces.
Colleen and John McCormick, owners of Lamorinda Music in Lafayette, have organized the marching band for the past several years and have been playing in the band since 1995, often with their children. They provide the music and lyres to hold the music while marching as well as drums and cymbals.
“We always need drummers and look forward to hearing from past members and new participants,” says Colleen McCormick.
The music for the parade can be picked up in advance at Lamorinda Music, 81 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. On July 4, percussionists meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot next to 89 Davis Road in Orinda (next to the Flying A gas station). All other instruments join them at 9 a.m., and at 10 a.m. the parade begins in front of the Orinda Theatre.
Musicians should wear blue pants/shorts and a white shirt. Lamorinda Music can loan a drum to those who need one. For more information, go o www.lamorindamusic.com/parade or call Colleen at 925-385-0963. You can also email
info@lamorindamusic.com.
For those who prefer to get up and enjoy the day with a run or walk, the Fourth of July Run for a Reason kicks off at 8 a.m. in front of the Community Center. Participants can choose a 5-mile run or a 2-mile walk. Formerly known as Haley’s Run for a Reason, the event still benefits the Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Foundation (SUDC). For complete information and to register, go to https://raceroster.com/events/2019/21862/4th-of-july-run-for-reason.
If you are an Orinda senior and would like to enjoy the parade in comfort, the OA’s Seniors Around Town (SAT) program will provide shaded seating on Orinda Way in front of the Orinda Community Center. You don’t need to be a rider with the SAT program. Any Orinda senior is welcome. Please call 925-402-4506 to reserve your seat.
And, finally, the Fourth of July parade wouldn’t be possible without the help of many enthusiastic volunteers who decorate the park and booths, direct parade participants, hand out bottles of water and more. To be part of this group, contact The Orinda Association at 925-254-0800 or email oa@orindaassociation.org.
