by Noella Noelophile®
It’s just about to happen, for the nineteenth time.
And you still have time to register for Tuesday morning’s Great American Kids’ Bike Parade, in Long Beach!
Hosted by Justin Rudd’s nonprofit Community Action Team, this is an old-fashioned (and free) July 4th good time.
Participants are requested to register, and to check in as they arrive. You can register here.
The nineteenth annual Great American Kids’ Bike Parade gives kids a chance to showcase their creative skills. In addition to the parade itself, there are contests for “Best Patriotic Speech” and “Best Costume”!
Festivities start in the parking lot near 1 Granada at 9:50, Tuesday morning, with the kids’ patriotic speech contest. Young speakers have up to ninety seconds to deliver their presentations.
Then, at 9:55, according to CAT’s Twitter account, Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish will speak.
At 9:59 am, Chad Bishop will sing the National Anthem.
And then, it’s the main event!
Everyone takes to the red carpet, leading to the bike trail, for the two-and-a-half mile ride along the beach.
By the way, this isn’t just for the smaller kids. We “big kids” are welcome too!
Don’t forget your costume, though–and be sure you don’t leave yet, when the bikers return to the boat launch at 1 Granada.
The kids’ costume contest happens at 10:30!
And there will be an awards ceremony, with prizes, at the boat launch ramp at 10:35.
Meanwhile, Justin and company are celebrating a milestone.
This month marks their 30th anniversary of making Long Beach a better place, in accordance with Justin’s motto: “Explore. Dream. Discover.”
In 1993, Justin implemented Long Beach’s monthly “30-minute Beach Cleanup”–the first of what would become more than 60 annual community events!
Today, in addition to the Great American Kids’ Bike Parade, CAT hosts the “Red High Heels Walk” for heart health. And “Operation Easter Basket”. And the “Haute Dogs Howl’ oween Dog Parade”. And some of our favorite local Christmas events: “Operation Santa Paws”, the “Joy to the World” free Christmas concert and the “Long Beach Christmas Cookie Contest”. And…
Well, you get the idea.
Happy almost-anniversary to Justin Rudd and Community Action Team, and Happy Fourth to you! If you’re in the Long Beach area and up for a fantastic community patriotic celebration, be sure to register for the Great American Kids’ Bike Parade.
I can’t think of a better way to start off a 247th birthday celebration.