Danville revels in patriotic parade

Twenty out of more than 100 entrants take home awards for the Fourth of July event

TIMES STAFF

DANVILLE -- They marched, waved and played for more than a mile -- providing a much-loved spectacle for Fourth of July revelers at the annual Kiwanis Danville July 4th Parade.

Among the 100 or more patriotic parade entries, 20 impressed parade judges enough to win an award for their efforts.

Winners celebrated their feat over lunch Thursday and went home with red, white and blue trophies and new parade winner titles.

"We're thrilled," said Danville Junior Horsemen President Chris Mohr. The club took home the title for the horse category. "We're happy to do it and happy to win."

Parade judges are typically wooed by creativity and originality, said Kiwanis member Tom Jones. Sometimes, however, pure sentiment wins out.

Take the Sycamore Lawn Mower Brigade. The longtime parade favorite had dissolved a few years ago when its organizer moved away, only to reappear at this year's parade. The "sentimental favorite" won in the novelty-comic category.

Then there's the Irish Heritage Pipe Band, which won in the band-marching category because "they were just plain good," Jones said.

Other parade award winners include:

Vietnam Veterans of the Diablo Valley, best marching unit; Heller Jewelers, best float; Dodge Brothers Club, best antique auto; Mark Biestman, best special-interest auto; Wheelchair Foundation, best special-interest entry; San Ramon Valley High School Cheerleading, best majorette.

Shadow Hills Homeowners Association, best neighborhood entry; Longs Drugs, best retail business entry; Cub Scout Pack 815, best Scout entry; San Ramon Valley Unified School District, best school entry; Diablo Country Club Swim Team, best country club entry; Century 21 Heritage, best real estate entry.

Elevated Minds Baha'i Youth Workshop, best church group entry; Devil Mountain Summer Camp, best bicycle entry; Credit Line Financial, best bank or financial entry; Align Healing Center, best business entry; and Danville Amateur Baseball, best sports team entry.