Hundreds of Piedmonters and visitors gathered along Highland Avenue from Park Way to Piedmont Park to watch the 45th Annual Fourth of July Parade, “Peace, Love…and the Fourth of July.” The parade’s theme was named in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock, according to Mayor Bob McBain.
Jubilant brass music from the Zenith New Orleans Parade Band set the mood, and under Roland Lazzarotto’s direction, the parade kicked off at 11 a.m., with the Piedmont Police Department and Piedmont Fire Department leading the way down the street. City Council and School Board members and their families followed on classic vintage cars. Grand Marshal Michael Murphy — recently retired from a 37-year post as head of the Schoolmates program at Havens Elementary School — sat in a 1960s Oldsmobile convertible driven by Rob Williamson. Over 50 antique cars – the majority coming from the 60s – continued to hold the crowd’s attention as proud owners flashed smiles from their seats.
The parade’s small-town spirit was in evidence. One especially spunky float was led by the residents of the only two homes on Holly Place, “The Littlest Street in Piedmont.” The residents of Holly Place would later win “Best Community Entry” at the award ceremony. (A full list of parade winners is listed below.)
Other highlights included the Balloon Platoon from Pleasanton Presbyterian Church (now renamed GraceWay Church), Pappy the 1917 steam tractor – it’s been a decade since Pappy has made a Piedmont appearance – and the Piedmont Highlanders who showed off the town’s Scottish roots through its bagpipe performance.
Former Valero gas station owner Simon Ho, who now owns an auto repair store in Oakland, rode in a 1966 Mustang driven by Paul Norman. He was welcomed back into Piedmont with welcoming cheers. To help drive traffic to and awareness of Ho’s new business, parade announcer Patti Edmonds shared how Ho was offering complimentary Uber rides to Ho’s clients for the day.
Still buzzing from the day’s excitement, Ho told the Exedra how surprised he was to participate in this year’s parade, and was in further disbelief upon hearing he had won a community award.
Executive Director of Fairyland Children’s Theatre, C.J. Hirschfield, retiring after a 17-year career at Fairyland, sprouted wings for the parade as she sat atop a 1960s Chevy Convertible. Fairyland would later be announced as the winner of the Grand Marshal Award, for the recognition of their long service to the Piedmont community.
“I’d never been in the Piedmont parade before, but I’ve always enjoyed watching it,” said Hirschfield. “It’s quirky and has a sense of whimsy. Being in the parade was so different and special. This was one of the greatest send-offs I could imagine.”
After the parade, the crowd dwindled down to about 100 and continued the festivities in Piedmont Park, where one of the Bay Area’s most beloved bands, Pride & Joy, kept the energy alive playing Michael Jackson covers and the like.
Pride and Joy on stage in Piedmont Park after the parade. 
Pride and Joy performs 
Pride and Joy founder and bandleader Coleman Burke 
Troop 1 hamburger stand 
Scouts are out in full force every July 4th. 
Park fills in after the parade for the Pride and Joy concert. 
A young party-goer is not sure about the dancing part.
Fairyland Executive Director C.J. Hirschfield applauded those in the community who devote so much of their time and efforts to make days like July 4th a beloved tradition.“There are people in Piedmont who tirelessly volunteer,” said Hirschfield. “That’s what it is about.”
Parade entrant winners:
- Highland Cup: Camp Augusta
- Highland Saucer: Arthur Ward
- Highland Spoon: Piedmont Scouts (Collectively: Community Service Crew, Kazoo Band, and Honor Guard)
- Mayor’s Favorite: Simon Ho
- Grand Marshal: Fairyland
- Best Community Entry: Holly Place
- Best Youth Entry: Piedmont Mountain Bike
- Best Animal Group: Dynamite Dog Group
- Best Band: California Repercussions
- City Administrator Award: Pappy the Steam Engine
- Theme Award: Jules Leyhe
- Spirit Award: Camp Augusta
- Artistic Award: Art Deco Society.
