Hometown 4th of July
This is my hometown...
Alameda, California
I took a stroll this afternoon...
to check out the patriotic decorations around town.
This neighborhood is called the "Gold Coast".
Tomorrow the parade will make it's way down Grand Street,
which is in the heart of the "Gold Coast".
It is the 35th Annual Mayor's Fourth of July Parade
and celebrates the volunteer spirit in honor of the residents, community and business members who serve our community.
There will be 135 parade entrants in the Order of March.
It's as classic as parades get.
It's one of my favorite things about our fair island city.
Neighborhoods all over town have block parties.
The homes that line the parade route set up tents and chairs
and serve mimosas and brunch in their front yards.
When the parade is over...
the streets get blocked off,
and the grills get fired up.
Neighbors and friends
come together
to celebrate the birth of our great nation.
It's party time!
Food, Fun, & Fireworks are the order of the day!
The party goes on all afternoon.
People hop from party to party...
until it gets dark.
Because Alameda is an island across the bay from San Francisco,
and across the estuary from the Oakland Coliseum,
we are surrounded by the best
fireworks displays in the Bay Area!
(My Mom's house)
There are many vantage points
from which to view them!
But you have to choose
whether to see them bursting
over the Bay Bridge
or over the Oakland Estuary.
There is always an Oakland A's Game
followed by fireworks.
But we usually just walk across the street
with blankets and sparklers,
find a spot on the grass,
snuggle close together, because it's always freezing,
to view the spectacular show over the San Francisco Bay!
We look forward to it each year,
and cross our fingers for a clear evening sky.
What is it about fireworks that makes everyone feel like a kid
and exclaim in unison...
Ohhhhhhhhhhh!
(Our house)
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I'll leave you with these photos
of the most
patriotic house
in our fair town!
Happy 4th!
Comments
PS will your bike be appearing tomorrow all decked out?
Wave the flag proudly, and enjoy a safe 4th. You have a lot to celebrate.
Joanny
Sweden (my birth country) is getting better in their attempts and I must say that I feel more and more patriotic as the years go by. Love celebrating the 6th of June!
Anyway, thanks for this post and happy independence day! Hope you have had a fantastic day!
xx Charlotta
Kat :)
What a great post. Loved all your photos of the homes in Alameda. My house does look a little like it could be in your neighborhood. It was built in 1906. Don't you love the history of this area? Have a great day today! --Delores
I'm moving there!! Now THIS IS spirit!!
EVERYONE in the USA should have a flag out today in honor of our independence!!
Looks like you will be having THE MOST FAB 4th of them ALL!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing... you brought me back to my childhood (IN NJ - and when people actually gave a crap to display love of country like THIS!!!)
HAVE A FAB 4th!!
:D Cheers!
Lynda
No snow blizzards to deal with and now this!!! Thinking me and my family need to MOVE there! And, haven't forgotten about your bicycle...fully expecting to see these photos, hopefully soon! Hope you are having a great day!
what .... did you take an evening walk to take these pictures?
let's have a good old fashioned chat
I used to do my daily walk in the Gold Coast so I could look at the details of every house. Riding my bike was too fast to take it all in. I recognize many homes you posted and they look better than ever. Also remember the purple Jacaranda trees. I love your blog because we share the same interests.