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Napa will be on the march on the Fourth
Family and friends gather in downtown Napa to celebrate the Fourth of July by watching the annual fireworks display. Register file photo | Buy photos
Friday, July 03, 2009
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It won’t overshadow Macy’s Thanksgiving Day extravaganza in New York City, but it won’t be an embarrassment either.

Downtown Napa’s Fourth of July parade, which last year lasted the blink of an eye, this year will be totally respectable, said Doris Gentry, the event coordinator.
“We have everything. You name it, we got it,” said Gentry, who expects to send more than 50 parade entries marching, floating or rumbling down Third Street on Saturday morning.

Actually, the parade won’t have everything, Gentry conceded. Try as she did, there won’t be a full-blown marching band with trumpets and tubas.
When Napa Sunrise Rotary took over parade sponsorship only months ago, all the likely marching bands had already been snapped up by more established parades, Gentry said.

Viewers can expect to see Americana, Napa-style, on parade, minus the marching band which will be there next year, she said.
There will be fire engines and equestrian units, twirlers and gymnasts, fancy trucks and cars, a giant American flag and an ornate float featuring Dr. Seuss’ Horton the Elephant and the creatures of Whoville, Gentry said.

Wells Fargo Bank will bring a horse-drawn stagecoach to town, evoking Napa’s pioneer heritage when a Wells Fargo agent operated out of a saloon on First Street, she said.

The parade starts at 11:30 a.m. on Third and School streets. Participants will march down Third Street to Main Street, turn right, then come back by way of Fifth Street, Coombs Street and Fourth Street.

Next year’s parade will be bigger yet, Gentry said. Based on this year’s success, organizers hope to move the 2010 parade to First Street, Napa’s traditional route, she said.

The parade is part of a day of community activities downtown, culminating in a fireworks show at dusk. There will be refreshments and children’s entertainment all afternoon near the intersection of Third and Main streets.

Music entertainment starts at 1 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Park with the Brian Cline Band. Also performing are Alvon Johnson and his All-Star Band, with the Time Bandits headlining.

From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., performers from the Napa School of Music will be center stage.

At 7:30 p.m., Napa Mayor Jill Techel will welcome the crowd, followed by a ceremony by the Travis Air Force Base Color Guard. Youth bands will perform until 9 p.m.

For more information about Fourth of July entertainment, call 257-9529.
7 comment(s)

jfz wrote on Jul 3, 2009 3:41 AM:

" The signs on the outskirts of Napa state that no fireworks are permitted within city limits. What gives? "

jfz wrote on Jul 3, 2009 9:30 AM:

" No fireworks this year? The signs at the edge of town say: "No fireworks allowed within city limits". "

Doris Gentry wrote on Jul 3, 2009 9:39 AM:

" GREAT story - thanks Napa Register - you have covered the DAY WONDERFULLY - we have 60 entries and OVER 600 people marching IN THE PARADE - so - hold onto your hats - find your lawn chair, get your sunscreen, get a big hat, bring your hand fan - weather will be nice - expecting 87% - that is hot but not miserable!

MC will not be set up in the middle of the street on Coombs St facing 3rd Street - we moved there to provide families more room to set up and watch kids dance and see the floats.

Come out - enjoy and know this is just the beginning - next year will be bigger and better and more! See you tomorrow - Doris "

Doris Gentry wrote on Jul 3, 2009 9:40 AM:

" Yes there will be fireworks downtown - but none for individuals - it is the controlled fireworks only. Doris "

Doris Gentry wrote on Jul 3, 2009 10:18 AM:

" Urrrgggg - I was typing too fast before - I meant to say - - - - - WE ARE NOW - going to be set up in the middle of the street on Coombs - we will be there - that is where the action will be - so set up as close to us as you can to hear us announce the entries as they pass the judges viewing stand.

We have 3 professional judges with us this year from the famous Pacific Coast Judges Association - we are stepping up and doing this RIGHT - yeah Napa "

tamazula02 wrote on Jul 3, 2009 6:03 PM:

" cant wait for cruise night.... "

napa1957 wrote on Jul 4, 2009 12:02 AM:

" We haven't been able to have fireworks in the city of Napa for years now. My grandkids don't will never have the experience my children had growing up in Napa. A neighbors son sold fireworks for his Boy Scout Troop and we all patronized his stand. The whole neighborhood would come together for fireworks. We always had sand buckets and hoses at the ready, and never had a mistake in many years of this tradition. Looking forward to the Parade! "

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