The Orinda Country Club’s menacing shark makes its way down Orinda Way during this year’s 4th of July Parade, but there was more to the parade than imaginative floats. Spirited performers, civic groups and veterans, and the floats, reflected the pride, tradition and community spirit that have made this annual event a beloved Orinda tradition.
I volunteered to photograph this year’s 4th of July parade. I walked away with a full SD card, new friendships and – drum roll, please – a gifted DSLR camera.
I’ll start from the beginning.
After responding to a Nextdoor post seeking a volunteer photographer, I was connected with parade organizer Lisa Burlini, the brains – and electric-scooter-riding force – behind the operation. Because I did not own a professional camera, Burlini graciously offered to lend me her personal camera for the day.
The morning of, I arrived bright and early, camera in hand. Donning a blue Orinda Association volunteer vest, I joined Burlini and the many other volunteers already in full swing, setting up tables and checking on parade acts.
I had attended the Orinda 4th of July parade many times before, but I had never seen how much work takes place behind the scenes. From the Cub Scouts’ pancake breakfast to the post-parade carnival, countless moving parts are carefully coordinated and executed by a huge team of volunteers.
Understanding the intricacy of the organization gave me newfound appreciation for this beloved annual tradition.
Once the parade began, I walked up and down Orinda Way searching for picture-perfect moments. I wove between lawn chairs, called for smiles and crouched down to photograph pets at eye level.
Not surprisingly, there was no shortage of subjects.
I photographed Boy Scouts leading the charge, Miramonte Latin Club members wheeling their chariot (Salvete!) and neighborhood dogs dressed in patriotic bandanas.
Steve Harwood’s booming voice carried over the crowd’s chatter as he introduced each group. Nearby, visitors filled tote bags at Orinda Library’s popular book sale. It warmed my heart to see these familiar, iconic Orinda traditions carry on.
Because I was on my feet the entire parade, I ran into many people I know. Old classmates, teachers, friends – seeing so many welcoming faces (and capturing their smiles on camera) made me realize how much I missed the Orinda community, having been away at college in Chicago for the last two years.
I ended the day with hundreds and hundreds of photographs. Of the many I took, my favorite one was of my own family members, smiling widely at me behind the camera, happy to be out there with the community.
Curating through all my photos later made me smile, allowing me to relive each adorable, amusing moment.
Later, when I returned Burlini’s camera, she surprised me by gifting me a beautiful Canon SLR she no longer used. She cared about and wanted to help further my development as a photojournalist, even though we’d just met a week ago. I was floored and so grateful for her gift (having been saving up for a camera), and I was again reminded of the power of our community.
When I volunteered to photograph the 4th of July parade, I only hoped for a fun morning and to see my photos in the paper. The experience brought me so much more, and I now have a clearer picture of just how strong our community is.
I hope to see each and every one of you readers out there next year, whether volunteering at, marching in, or cheering on the Orinda 4th of July Parade.
Contributing Writer Ashley Dong can be reached at ashleydong2028@gmail.com
Writer Ashley Dong’s mother Jessi Yu (left) and grandmother, Amy Dong, enjoyed Orinda’s 4th of July parade.
Two young parade watchers in awe of the parade, were captured on Orinda Way on July 4.
