4th of July Parade & Events

July 4th is an Orinda tradition started by the Orinda Association in the early 1980s as a way to celebrate not only Independence Day, but also to celebrate “community.” Thousands of citizens gather on this special day to not only watch or participate in the parade, but also attend the numerous other events available throughout the day. On July 4th there are events for every age group starting with the annual Pancake Breakfast, flag raising ceremony, fun run, parade, live music, food, games and booths in the park following the parade. Everyone is invited to participate in the planning, sponsor a booth or event, participate in the parade, host a booth in the park, or just come and enjoy the events.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2011:

          MONDAY, JULY 4TH

Below is a brief schedule of events.  Please click here to download and print a detailed schedule of events. 

• 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The Roadrunners’ Pancake Breakfast In the park/Community Center
• 7:55 a.m. Flag-raising Ceremony at Flagpole in front of Community Center
• 8:00 a.m. The Roadrunners’ Fun Run and Haley’s Run for a Reason meet in front of the Community Center
• 8:45 a.m. Parade participants arrive for assembly at BART parking lot on the East Side of Camino Pablo
• 9:00 a.m. The EFO Big Band performs LIVE across from the Library on Orinda Way
• 9:00 a.m. Friends of the Orinda Library Book Sale In Library Breezeway
• 10:00 a.m. Parade Begins
• 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Park Activities Begin

MAPS, DIRECTIONS & PARKING:

Maps: Click here to download a comprehensive map of the parade route and community events in the Orinda Community Park on the 4th of July.

Street Closures: 
Detailed information can be found on the Map of the Orinda Parade and Community Events by clicking here.  Roads along the parade route will be closed.  Additionally, below is a list of other access roads which will be restricted during the parade and community center events after the parade. 

 1.  The westbound Highway 24 on ramp (east side of Camino Pablo) will be closed during the parade from approximately 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
2. One northbound lane of Camino Pablo will remain open.
3. The southbound lanes of Camino Pablo with the on/off ramps on that side of the street will remain open.
3. Moraga Way from Wells Fargo Bank to the Davis Road intersection will be closed from 10:00 am - 1:00 p.m.
4. A portion of Santa Maria and all of Orinda Way will be closed from 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for the Parade and Community Center .
5. Highway 24 access for both on and off ramps will be available from St. Stephens Drive.

Parking:  Street parking will not be available along the parade route on Moraga Way or on Orinda Way. All other street parking is available as well as Orinda BART’s west parking lot. For handicapped parking, drivers may drop off people in front of the Community Center on Orinda Way up until 10:30 a.m. There will also be handicapped and vendor permit parking available directly across from the Community Center in the Old Vintage House parking lot. This will also be accessible until 10:30 a.m. when Orinda Way is closed for the parade. Download the map for more information. 

SPONSORSHIP:

To sponsor an event click here for a sponsorship form. Sponsors receive publicity in future issues of The Orinda News, our website as well as on-going mention during the parade, and acknowledgements in the park. Your generous sponsorship is a great way to advertise your company, service or club.  This year there are four levels of sponsorship:

             • Title Sponsor—$2,500 and above donation
             • Silver Sponsor—$1,000 and above donation
             • Banner Sponsor—$350 donation
             • Supporting Sponsor—$200 - $350 donation / merchandise

To sponsor a celebration banner, please click here. This year we are offering the opportunity to add your family or business name as a sponsor. All banners will be up on major Orinda thoroughfares from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Sponsors receive publicity in future issues of the Orinda News, our website as well as on-going mention during the parade.

PARADE ENTRY:

To place an entry in the parade click here. Create a float, a skit, or just march along with your group; it’s an excellent opportunity to let the community know who you are. Again, you have thousands of people of all generations stopping by to find out more about you!  We encourage you to take part in this historical Orinda event.  Make sure to submit your application by the deadline of June 18. 

COMMUNITY PARK BOOTH REGISTRATION:

Let people know about the wonderful work you do as well as volunteer opportunities available by having a booth at the 4th of July celebration. Whether you are a local club looking for new members, an arts organization seeking a wider audience, or an environmental group hoping to educate the public, we have a booth for you!

To reserve a non-profit booth in the park or community center click here. Call or email us if you require more information and watch for other related information on our website.

To reserve a non-profit food/beverage booth in the park or library plaza click here. All participants must attend a Mandatory County Health Meeting!

To reserve a commercial food/beverage booth in the park or beside the Community Center click here. All participants must attend a Mandatory County Health Meeting!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

The July 4th committee begins its work in January. We always welcome new volunteers. There are many committees with various time commitments to choose from. It is great fun to be a part of this long-standing and very well attended community project. Students will find a great many ways to contribute volunteer hours for community service as well.  What better way to show your patriotism than by helping make this 4th of July celebration the best ever? Lots of opportunities exist for individuals and families.  If you would like to volunteer, call us at (925) 254-0800 or email us at 4thofjuly@orindaassociation.org.

• Decorating the park and booths
• Setting up activities
• Directing parade participants
• Helping the parade run smoothly
• Handing out bottles of water
• Cleaning up at the end of the day

2011 4th of July Volunteer Leadership List

Chris Laszcz-Davis & Mark Roberts, Co-Chairs, July 4 Parade & Park Activities
John Fazel, Chair, Roadrunners Fun Run
Jerry Wendt, Chair, Pancake Breakfast
Suzanne Tom, Chair, Haley’s Run for a Reason & Silent Auction
TBD, Chair, Decorations
Bill Waterman & Steve Meagher, Co-Chairs, Parade
Clay Deanhardt, Chair, Food Booths
Jan Cushman, Chair, Non-Profit Booths
Jane McKahan-Jones, Chair, Sponsors/Donations
Chris Laszcz-Davis, Chair, Banner sales
Cindy Powell, Chair, Bands & Music
April Meagher & TBD, Co-Chairs, Park Activities
Steve Harwood & Mark Roberts, Parade Announcers
Sally Hogarty, Editor, Orinda News
Jim Luini, Treasurer
Jeff Reveukamp, Chair, Facilities & Site Management
TBD, Chair, Volunteers
TBD, Chair, Marketing
TBD, Horse Groups

PARADE HISTORY:

Early one morning in the winter of 1984, Dick Heggie, Bill Gross, and Bobbie Landers were sitting in the Orinda Association’s cramped office trying to think of a way to get local residents excited about Orinda becoming a city. With local residents dissatisfied with county services, the Orinda Association and several other local residents had begun thinking about incorporation. They needed to find a way to build excitement among locals – a way to bring the community together in a fun way while also educating people to the pros and cons of local city government. As Landers thought back to the hot summers in her home town of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, she remembered how much she used to look forward to her town’s 4th of July parade, and why not bring that same sense of togetherness and pride to Orinda. Heggie and Gross concurred and Orinda’s 4th of July parade and celebration was born!

The festivities have continued to grow year after year with lots of fun activities for children from a Hot Wheels race to balloon animals to making things at the Home Depot booth. Adults also have plenty to make them smile with several great bands playing throughout the day and a plethora of great food and drinks to enjoy.