Modesto's festivities on Fourth lift spirits

At the crack of dawn, chairs and blankets were lined up curbside along the Modesto Jaycees' downtown parade route. By the time the 136th annual Fourth of July parade kicked off, hundreds of spectators lined every block, waving U.S. flags.

Patriotically bedecked bicycles passed spectators along the route. Claudia Streeter of Modesto said she and friends spent the night before decorating their bikes.

"It was worth every minute to be a little more festive. Times are hard and we have to raise the joy level in this county -- our own, too," Streeter said. "We're enthusiasts who just love to celebrate this great country."

Her aunt, Carol Streeter, said she came at 5 a.m. to claim a spot along the parade route. "We wouldn't miss this for the world," she said, adding it's been a family tradition for decades.

It was only 10-year-old Juan Franco Jr.'s second parade. He sat with his father in front of the McHenry Museum at 14th and I streets at 7 a.m. and waited for his favorite thing -- "the clowns and the little cars."

The Shriners did not disappoint. The Aahmes chapter, celebrating its 100th year, had dozens of people in six entries, including motorcycles, Mini Lizzies and clowns.

"I think they enjoy getting ready as much as the parade," laughed Shirley Davis of Ceres, whose husband, Del, drove a Mini Lizzie. She watched the parade with friend Elaine Van Holland of Modesto, whose husband Jake, or "Klomp" the clown, was in the banana-yellow break-apart car.

A long-standing tradition

A contingent of Shriner families parked chairs in front of the county library at 15th and I streets beginning at 6 a.m. For them, the parade was just the beginning. A barbecue for 125 at the Masonic Hall was next, and they left as soon as the Shriners entries -- numbers 46 through 52 -- zoomed, zipped and beep-beeped by, to get food ready.

"It's a tradition," explained organizer Bert Erlandson, wife of Terry, or "Ole" the helicopter car-riding clown.

How long a tradition? "Oh, my gosh. Forever!" said Louise Cobb, wife of "Corny," who rode his "piglet" mini-motorcycle wearing a "Heaven's Little Angels" vest.

"Clowns always have an angle," Cobb chuckled. She and husband Lou started in 1979 participating in the parades, clinics, Special Olympics and other Shriners events. "They go wherever somebody needs them," she said.

Modesto entrepreneur Dan Costa was this year's parade grand marshal. He was honored as an American success story, starting out washing dishes while in high school before going on to make millions in a variety of enterprises.

Rolling out the goods

Enterprising vendors with wagons and rolling coolers tried to be everywhere they were needed during the parade.

Christy Lundquist had her permit at the ready, selling flags and pinwheels for a dollar each to raise money for Cornerstone Assembly of God church, where her father, Jimmy Satterwhite, is the pastor.

Other vendors hawked soda and cotton candy. The Jaycees sold 500 flag fans and hoped to sell 1,500 flags to help pay for the parade, with Al Menshew of the Jaycees and Nikki Thomas of KAT Country 103 serving as the masters of ceremonies.

After the parade, there was a celebration at Graceada Park with food booths, arts and crafts booths, activities for children and entertainment.

Contributions for next year's parade can be sent to the Modesto Jaycees, P.O. Box 76, Modesto 95353.

Bee reporter Nan Austin can be reached at naustin@modbee.com or 578-2339.