Martinez Celebrates Fourth of July, Community Spirit with Downtown Parade, Festivities

Main Street tradition featured the usual sights and sounds of Independence Day on Tuesday morning as residents came in droves to celebrate America's birthday

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By Sam Richards

It was a colossal star-spangled jumble in front of the Justice Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in the Tuesday morning sunshine … classic cars, kids on bikes, musicians, old men wearing the uniforms in which they served their country, people walking around with clipboards, young families weaving through it all on their way to a curbside viewing spot.

But it would all soon be sorted out into an organized parade down Main Street, a Fourth of July tradition back for its second post-COVID year. It may well be Martinez’s signature event mostly for locals, bringing people of all ages – literally, from tiny babies to senior seniors – to the sidewalks of Main Street not only to watch the stream of youth groups, military veterans, first responders, local elected officials, old cars, business folks and myriad others, but to see people and be seen.

Martinez isn’t the only East Bay city with a robust parade – Danville and Orinda may have more renowned such events. But in Martinez, you don’t have to set out the folding chairs the night, or even days, before to get a curbside seat for the show.

Michael Chandler, Martinez’s city manager, was among the sidewalk standees watching the parade go by. He said it reinforces the “small-town feel” of Martinez

“The community comes out in droves to support this and participate in it,” he said. “It’s a community tradition, and I think it’s a reflection of our community spirit.”

Martinez also held its traditional fireworks show Tuesday night at Waterfront Park. It, too, is a popular event, every bit as traditional as the parade. But as a community building exercise, it just isn’t the same, if only because it’s harder to see your friends and neighbors in the dark.

In the morning light of Tuesday, it was impossible to walk more than half a block along the six-block parade route and not see and hear people happen upon old friends and acquaintances, sharing a handshake or hug. I can testify to that, having myself run into at least 10 people I haven’t seen for a while. That may well be the true yardstick of a good parade.