Patriotic Tradition: Our Small Town Celebrates
Celebrating Independence Day usually means hot dogs, fireworks and finding the nearest pool to beat the heat. With the luxury of a day off of work, many people spend time with family, relishing the day in the summer sun, wherever that may be.
Folks in Clarksburg, California aren’t any different. But what makes our no-stoplight town special are the traditions that our family and many others look forward to every year. Front and center is the 4th of July parade, which is held promptly at high noon each and every 4th.
Cutting a short swath through town, this tradition includes folks young and old showing off their patriotic spirit. Opening with the local Boy Scout Troop #83 color guard, Old Glory flies prominently as the local band plays our national anthem. The Grand Marshall, always a long time local farmer or resident, presides from his throne atop an antique firetruck. Followed by tractors of John Deere green and yellow, the farmers represent with pride. Wagons pulling hay bales and a few floats are topped with the next generation, happily throwing candy into the gutters for parade watchers to snatch up. Four wheelers, go-carts and bikes get the royal treatment of red, white and blue as they cruise the main drag of town. And it wouldn’t be a party without a horse or two to leave a surprise for the tail end of the parade! Bringing up the rear, is the fire department water truck, ready with their hose to cool off the crowd, if temperatures permit.
For five minutes of revelry, the town comes together: neighbors chat curbside, high school friends hug and kids run in the street. Then the fire trucks retreat, families return to their own celebrations and another 4th in Clarksburg has passed.
Pictured above: Fran Bogle and her granddaughter Jody, Clarksburg Parade, 1976
