It was a grand day for a parade

By Mary-Justine Lanyon

Green Valley Lake celebrates the Fourth of July in style. Their parade – which may or may not be the shortest in the U.S. – stepped off at 11 a.m. on July 4. What is certain about this parade is it is most likely the only one that turns around and does it all over again – in the opposite direction.

The banner announcing the parade was followed by an enthusiastic group sporting inflatable costumes. According to their parade entry form, “These unique wild critters roamed the San Bernardino Mountains to settle down in the quaint little town of Green Valley Lake. They decided to group together and show you just how much fun it is to live in this great town!”

There were dirt bikes, OHVs and a whole fleet of golf carts, all decorated to the hilt for Independence Day. One golf cart paid tribute to the upcoming Paris Olympics and one carried a group of veterans. There were children blowing bubbles and rescue dogs wearing colorful costumes. There was a skid-steer, used for tree work, and a pickup truck that has been in the family for over 40 years. Topping that was the same family’s 1956 Oldsmobile Super 88 couple that has been in the family for 56 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the parade, folks lined up for hot dogs and hamburgers from San Bernardino County Fire personnel, available for a donation dropped in a boot. Several vendors lined Green Valley Lake Road, where a band started playing in front of the Black Dog Shoppe as soon as the parade music ended.

The afternoon was rounded out with a scavenger hunt and a boat parade on the lake.

The activities were sponsored by the Mountain Community Alliance.