There was plenty of enthusiasm in North Santa Cruz County for America’s big 250th as thousands of people flocked to the small communities for two separate patriotic parades.
A California Highway Patrol officer estimated the Boulder Creek parade, which kicked off at 10 a.m., had about 5,000 to 7,000 people in attendance.
Steve Spaulding, 45, who lives in Boulder Creek, said he wasn’t necessarily focused too much on the milestone for the United States of America, but he was thrilled with the community vibrancy.
“I think it’s an amazing event,” he said. “It gets a lot of families and friends together to enjoy this parade.”
Spaulding said he really liked the “Boulder Creek Boys” motorcycle demonstration.
“It takes two people to have a kid, but it takes a whole village to raise itself,” he said.
Karen Scholer, 66, who lives up in the mountains between Boulder Creek and Los Gatos, was in the parade, as a member of the San Lorenzo Valley Voices for Democracy group.
“I think it’s fantastic that so many people turned up,” she said. “It brought people out from all walks of life.”
Becca Moeller, also 66, a member of Bonny Doon Resist, said the organization she’s a part of often partners with SLV Voices. Most recently, she participated in the Aptos Fourth of July parade as part of a ukulele players contingent.
Moeller commented that it’s “fantastic” to get out to support the country.
“Our democracy is threatened,” she said. “We can turn this around. Democracy will once again thrive.”
Boulder Creek resident Larry DeHaven, 61, also wasn’t too concerned about the official age of the US of A. But he was happy to see the economic signal the parade provided.
“It’s probably the largest one I’ve seen in 60 years,” he said. “Lot’a people.”
Events like this are good for Boulder Creek, he mused.
“Money,” he said when asked what he witnessed as the motorcyclists, dancers and Revolutionary cosplayers passed down Highway 9 and onto Big Basin Way. “Money for the town.”
Ben Lomond local Julie Matthews, another of the 66-year-olds in attendance, said this is exactly what America is all about.
“I love the sense of community,” she said. “God bless America!”
She had an American flag tattoo on her arm, American flag kicks and—“I’ve got ‘freedom’ on my socks, because that’s what we stand for,” she said, suggesting it’s “one of the last places” where you can be who you are and “believe what you believe.”
She also gave a shout-out to the Boulder Creek Fire Department.
“We wouldn’t even have a home if it weren’t for them,” she said, referring to the volunteer department’s actions during the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, when state fire resources were stretched too thin.
Scotts Valley extends parade route
After doing a loop in the Scotts Valley Parade—including taking in the impressive airplane flyover—Councilmember Derek Timm had a chance to sit on the sidelines and soak up the remainder of the Scotts Valley parade.
“It’s a slice of Americana,” he said. “It feels bigger than in any of the recent years.”
There were also way more Jeep Rubicons than usual (although no one seemed to know why).
Timm pointed out that Scotts Valley extended the length of the parade a little bit for this year’s edition.
He also wondered, “Where’s Greg?”—meaning fellow Councilmember and Togo’s sandwich shop owner Greg Wimp.
Suddenly, an orange soft drink mascot bounded down Scotts Valley Drive, catching up to the inflatable sandwich float, then carrying on past it like an Olympic runner mixed with a mime.
That was Wimp, Timm confirmed.
The exuberance exhibited by the character—who scampered along with his business’s entry, waving giant hands—was in stark contrast to the newest Council addition’s shy, considered demeanor (and soft-spoken tone) at the dais.
Wimp’s performance—and not-exactly-subtle business marketing technique—won over 11-year-old Lena Vafaei, a former Scotts Valley resident who moved to Sunnyvale with her family.
Overall, Vafaei said she’d wanted a bracelet and didn’t manage to end up with one. And she didn’t quite get as much candy as she had hoped.
But she enjoyed the floats, especially “the Togo’s one,” adding that she liked the mascot in orange tights, “because it reminded me of food.”
“I think he was hungry,” Vafaei said. “Because he’s a drink.”
Her mom, Stefani Rasmussen, 50—who has been to many Scotts Valley Fourth of July parades over the years—said she really liked the entry that looked like a boat with George Washington in it.
“It was a whole float,” said Rasmussen, describing the scene that created an image in her mind—and on her cellphone—of George Washington crossing the Delaware. “It was more authentic to the holiday. And I think it’s very creative.”
On the same side of the road was Scotts Valley Police Chief Jayson Rutherford, who confirmed there was likely “about 6,000” people in attendance, and “no issues” in terms of law infractions.
“Everyone’s wearing red, white and blue,” he said. “Everyone’s here for the same purpose.”
Just hours earlier—during a Friday evening performance at The Landing theater— Rutherford was out of uniform and playing John Hancock in front of crowd of a couple hundred people.
“It was a great experience,” he said. “I’m used to public speaking, but not doing any sort of play.”
But everything went smoothly, he reflected.
“I got to read the Declaration of Independence at the end,” Rutherford said.
His favorite part, he said, was probably the moment when he added the famous giant signature to the monumental document.
Phil Meads, a 56-year-old, said he appreciates a fun community event like this parade.
“The kids are really excited about it,” said the Felton resident in an America 250 shirt. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. You’ve gotta celebrate it.”
