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.
©Copyright 2001, Contra Costa Times