Pandemic claims another victim: Modesto’s annual Fourth of July Parade
The new coronavirus pandemic has claimed another victim — Modesto’s annual Fourth of July Parade, which started in 1874, is among California’s oldest, and in recent years has drawn thousands upon thousands of spectators to downtown.
The parade provides a panorama of Modesto, from teenage beauty queens, marching bands and Cub Scouts to politicians in classic cars, floats honoring the area’s agricultural riches to members of E Clampus Vitus — the irreverent fraternal organization devoted to the Old West — pushing lawn mowers, a nod to the clampers’ work maintaining the grounds of historic cemeteries.
Parade chairman Jeremiah Williams said organizers instead will hold a tribute at Tenth Street Place honoring our nation’s birthday that will be televised and live streamed.
He provided a statement from Stanislaus County CEO Jody Hayes and Modesto City Manager Joe Lopez saying the state’s Public Health Order put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, does not allow public events and gatherings, including Modesto’s annual parade.
Williams said the tribute starts at 9:30 a.m. and will include the singing of the national anthem, a prayer, reciting the pledge of allegiance and remarks from members of the City Council and the county Board of Supervisors.
Williams is a member of the Modesto Kiwanis Club, which has put on the parade for the last decade with help from the city.
“I’m going to miss it. We are going to miss it. The community is going to miss it,” Williams said about the parade. He said downtown businesses hurt by the stay-at-home order and other restrictions put in place to limit the spread of the virus were counting on the parade helping them.
Among the oldest in California
The parade is among the oldest in California and has been held annually since 1874 except for 1942-43 during World War II, according to Bee archives. And it’s hugely popular. Spectators show up hours before the start to get prime seating in the shade. And some families have attended the parade over several generations.
But Williams said the tribute will provide local residents with a way to celebrate our nation’s birthday and hopes the number of people who watch the tribute from their homes is at least as large as the 25,000 to 30,000 people he said have lined downtown streets in recent years to watch the parade.
This story was originally published June 16, 2020 at 1:43 PM.
