A stilt walker interacts with crowd members during the Rose White and Blue Fourth of July Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in San Jose, Calif. Thousands of visitors lined city streets to watch marching bands, dancers, and vintage cars take part in the annual parade. wrestling in a church parking lot would be the perfect way to celebrate America’s Independence Day.
The parade, which starts at 10 a.m., will be preceded by a lowrider cruise down the route from from Lincoln High School on Dana Avenue to Naglee Avenue and then east on The Alameda. The parade itself, of course, includes units from all walks of life in the Santa Clara Valley. There’s the stuff you expect — vintage automobiles, Scout troops waving flags, a kilted pipe and drum band, and elected officials riding in convertibles.
You’ll find just as much culture at the post-parade festival, too. The festival is after taking a year off. Food trucks will be parked along the Alameda between Hester and Hanchett avenues. And, a bevy of performances — ranging from the Little Gym of Stevens Creek and the Valley Baton Club to Valverde Dance and Chinese Performing Arts of America — will take place every 15 minutes in front of Westminster Presbyterian Church starting at 11:45 a.m.
Just remember, it’s better and safer to go watch the pros light up the sky on the Fourth. Too many people end up injured and too many fires start every year when amateurs decide its more fun to be dumb. More than 2,500 people participated in the fourth annual Stars and Strides run in downtown San Jose. The 5K, 10K and kids’ fun run — presented by Bloom Energy and Tarana Wireless.