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A popular San Ramon Valley tradition is back in full force this July 4, with this year’s event set to honor the efforts of educators over the past year in addition to recognizing the federal holiday celebrating the ratification of the Declaration of Independence.
The Kiwanis-Danville Fourth of July Parade is scheduled for Tuesday (July 4), with the popular event known to draw 30,000 to 40,000 attendees at its height, making it one of the Tri-Valley’s major July 4 celebrations for nearly 50 years.
The parade has been coordinated in partnership with the local Kiwanis Club and the town of Danville since 1975, with this year’s parade themed around “Celebrating our Educators,” and featuring Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Chavonta Edington as grand marshal.
“We are excited that this year’s Kiwanis 4th of July parade in Danville is dedicated to honoring educators,” SRVUSD Superintendent John Malloy said. “We are so thrilled for Chavonta Edington, SRVUSD and Contra Costa County Office of Education Teacher of the Year, that she is being recognized.”
Malloy added that the theme was a well-deserved recognition to teachers and staff throughout the district.
“Our schools are exemplary because we have dedicated and passionate staff who help ensure that every student thrives,” Malloy said. “We are excited that the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation invited our staff to join them in the parade, and know it will be a wonderful day of honoring educators.”
While much will seem familiar about the longstanding tradition, there will be one notable absence this year.
With this year’s permit for the parade from town officials prohibiting the discharging of firearms, the Devil Mountain Brigade withdrew from this year’s event, making 2023 the first year without their presence since 1975.
“The 2023 parade permit issued by the Town of Danville provides that no firearms may be discharged (either with live ammunition or blanks) in accordance with the Town Municipal Code,” Kiwanis Club organizers wrote in an April 26 statement.
They added that while the added provision for year’s permit didn’t prevent the Devil Mountain Brigade from participating, the organization had elected to do so.
“The Devil Mountain Brigade, who were notified of this restriction after registering, has the option to march in the parade without discharging their firearms, if they wish,” Kiwanis Club organizers said. “The Kiwanis Club had hoped that they would still participate in 2023 but the Devil Mountain Brigade has chosen to withdraw from the parade. The Kiwanis Club respects their decision to do so.”
More than 100 other groups are expected to participate in this year’s parade, and more than a dozen bands according to town organizers.
Attendees can begin placing chairs along the parade route through Downtown Danville along Hartz Avenue and San Ramon Valley Boulevard starting Monday (July 3) at 6 p.m., with any belongings left unattended before then set to be removed.
The parade will kick off at 9 a.m. from San Ramon Valley High School on Railroad Avenue and run through approximately noon.
The following streets are tentatively set to be closed for the parade, according to event organizers:
*Danville Boulevard between El Cerro Boulevard and Railroad Avenue
*Railroad Avenue between Hartz Avenue. and Love Lane
*La Gonda Way between El Cerro Boulevard and Danville Boulevard
*Prospect Avenue between Hartz Avenue and Front Street
*East Linda Mesa Avenue between Hartz Avenue and the Rose Street Parking Lot
*Hartz Avenue between Railroad Avenue and Hartz Way
*San Ramon Valley Boulevard between Hartz Way and Town and Country Drive
*Town and Country Drive between San Ramon Valley Boulevard and Sheri Lane
More information is available at srvkiwanis.org/parade.
We’re looking forward to the parade. Always a great time!
The parade was merely a bunch of cheesy advertising. People resented the “pride” agenda foisted on them. Devil Mt brigade sorely missed. Ppl laughed at the Tesla parade from Borg Fencing—“well THEY obviously charge too much to afford ALL THOSE!!!”