A joyful crowd lined Highland Avenue on Tuesday morning for the city’s 56th annual Independence Day parade. The day began with a pancake breakfast at Veterans Hall hosted by the Piedmont Community Service Crew, followed by the parade at 11 a.m. and a bandstand in Piedmont Park, with music by Big Bang Beat.
This year’s parade theme was “Paint the Town Red, White, and Blue”. Crowd favorites returned — classic cars, city and neighborhood floats, musical performers, and more. The parade’s Grand Marshal, David Hopkins, was celebrated for his years with the Piedmont Recreation Department. At the parade’s conclusion, residents and visitors headed to Piedmont Park or disbursed to nearby block parties.
Parade Award winners:
Highland Cup: Piedmont Recreation Department
Highland Saucer: Piedmont FoodFest
Highland Spoon: Piedmont Public Works
Youth group: Piedmont Mountain Bike Team
Pets: July 4th Dog Group
Community: Piedmont Community Church
Best Spirit: Piedmont Recreation Department
Most Artistic: Olcott + Kelleher + Pillsbury families
Best Theme: Grand Lake Vet
Best band: Piedmont Community Band
It’s not a Piedmont parade without bagpipers 
Mayor Jen Cavenaugh, City Council member Betsy Andersen, PUSD Superintendent Jennifer Hawn, School Board President Veronica Anderson Thigpen 
Parade announcer Patty Edmunds 
Uncle Sam, an American eagle, and Dress Best for Less 
Most Artistic Award: A neighborhood float created by the Olcott, Kelleher, and Pillsbury families 
The Balloon Platoon makes its way toward the park 
Classic cars are a mainstay of the parade 
Best Band award: All are welcome to join Piedmont’s Community Band 
The youngest member of the band 
Community Award: Piedmont Community Church 
Fans of Grand Marshal David Hopkins, who retires from his longtime PRD position this year, joined the parade 
Highland Cup winner: The Piedmont Recreation Department nears the end of the route 
Treats are shared with onlookers 
School Board member Ruchi Medhekar (r) with her family 
Classic car drivers/owners in costume for the parade 
Deco Belles recall the 1930s 
The California Repercussions 
The lawn in Piedmont Park is packed after the parade 
Big Band Beat entertains the crowd 
Best Theme: Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital
PCSC members flipping pancakes for the breakfast 
A young parade goer fuels up before the parade
The festivities were organized by the 4th of July Parade Committee that included Kathy Kelleher (chair), Roland Lazzorotto (parade starter),John Morrison (vehicle coordinator), Greg Bloom, Carolyn Bruck, Michael Bruck, Gray Cathrall, Kimberly Gray, Kathy Kelleher, Paula Klein, and Marilyn Weber.