Pleasant Hill 4th of July parade snapshot of Americana
PLEASANT HILL, CA (July 4, 2024) — Young and old, and every age in between, turned out for Pleasant Hill’s annual 4th of July parade that again welcomed its 50 tried and true, decked out in red, white, and blue, participating organizations representing a cross section of community life.
The honoree Grand Marshal for event was the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce, celebrating its 70th anniversary, and those who give it life. Following the roar of veterans on motorcycles and sirens of first responders and local scouts proudly carrying Old Glory to kick off the patriotic procession, contingents from A to Z wound through the city’s downtown corridor.
From classic cars to a dragon and George Washington making appearances, to marching little leaguers, waving politicians, as well as candy tossing local service clubs and nonprofits, and those representing city departments, local schools and churches, and even one homemade float pulled by pedaling parent, flag waving and cheering attendees were treated to all the sights and sounds that mark America’s mid-summer birthday.
And, no parade is complete without smiling and squealing children scrambling to scoop up flying hard candy, lollipops and an assortment of other sweets as they land curbside. As one parent observed, “it’s chum for the circling sharks.”
Happy 4th of July Pleasant Hill!
David Scholz
David Scholz is back in journalism as a freelance writer and photographer after nearly two decades in education. Prior to moving into teaching in 2000, he worked as a full-time journalist since 1988 for rural community and small daily newspapers in Central Ohio and Northern Nevada, and later in California with The Business Journal in Fresno and dailies in the Bay Area, including The Oakland Tribune and The San Francisco Chronicle. More recently Scholz also worked in an editing, writing, and page layout role with the Rossmoor News.