2015 Saturday -- Two Parades

We've just experienced our first July 4th in Cayucos; the little town of 3,102 people on California's Central Coast.

This is the third summer we've owned an itty-bitty beach shack here. The past two summers we've had other plans, so we've missed the gigantic celebration that this cowboy surfer town presents.

What most people don't realize is that there are two parades here on the 4th. There's also music in the streets and some of the restaurants convert their sidewalks into cafes. The shoreline near the pier is not only displaying mounds of summer kelp but also becomes a workshop for sand-sculpters and then a gallery of original art. The Peddlers Market at the north-end of Ocean Avenue presents lots of opportunities to shop.

We were told the locals were expecting 60,000 people today; twice as many as last year. Many of them arrive from California's Central Valley -- Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield, Taft -- and this year, several local beach towns chose not to have a fireworks show, so that increased the appeal to this town's celebration.

The morning parade started at 10:00 and was a lot of fun with dance teams, classic cars, homemade floats, and the elementary school's pan band. The main thing the parade lacked was a high school or college marching band.

What is not mentioned nor advertised is the late evening parade that begins after the fireworks. We could see it from our front windows. Red glowing tail lights at the north end of town all headed toward Cambria or Hwy 46 and then Ocean Avenue clogged with tail lights headed for the southbound lanes of Hwy. 1. Traffic was bumper-to-bumper both directions for over an hour. I'm sure most of the sleepy youngsters in the backseats of those vehicles did not mind as they eased into slumberland with sandy feet and thoughts filled with the wonder of ocean waves and fireworks.

I'm thankful for all the military who have served to keep this a free country.
Happy July 4, 2015

Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol