July 2 Community Parade in Arcadia
Chinese dragons will be showcased among more than 70 unique vehicles, equestrian and marching units presented by 30 different local groups in the first Arcadia community parade in at least 75 years at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 2.
Among the latest entries in the Arcadia’s Best Patriotic Festival on First Avenue from Duarte Road to Huntington Drive is a martial arts group with students marching as two Chinese dragons to the beat of drums, and 100 students in the Arcadia High School marching band.
The parade will be followed at 11 a.m. by a street festival featuring nearly 30 classic cars owned by local residents; 10 gourmet food trucks including The Grilled Cheese Truck; vendor booths that will feature a book signing by local novelist C.B. Shiepe; and performances by music and theater groups and a 12-year-old student soloist.
Among the many dignitaries in the parade will be the Mayor and entire City Council, Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Sho Tay, Senior Citizens of the Year Jim and Margaret Barrows, and a half-dozen local Boy Scout Troops and Cub Packs from the Lucky Baldwin District.
In addition to thirteen former Rose Queens and Princesses who represented Arcadia from 1949 – 2010 and will ride individually in Corvettes and other special vehicles, a surrey pulled by four Clydesdale horses will carry another dozen ladies who were Royalty on the Arcadia Rose float from 1965 – 1991.
The parade on First Avenue will begin at Alice Street near the Arcadia Presbyterian Church and end at California Street near First Avenue Middle School. The following street fair will be contained on First Avenue from California Street to Huntington Drive, with a performance area at Bonita Street.