by Noella Noelophile®
Great American Kids’ Bike Parade, 2015.
Hooray for the red, white and blue!
Break out the streamers and glitter! Blow up the balloons! Buy the pasta, tuna, cereal and peanut butter!
Huh?
Actually, you didn’t misread that last sentence.
As community activist Justin Rudd and his nonprofit Community Action Team prepare to host the 22nd Annual Great American Kids’ Bike Parade, that is their request.
In lieu of an entry fee, Justin asks that children and adults participating in the parade bring these staples for donation to agencies serving the homeless in our communities.
Which is just one more reason to be proud of being an American in Long Beach.
The specifics
This Saturday morning, July 4th, the festivities start at 9:30 am at Granada Avenue Boat Launch Ramp, 5000 East Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach.
In other words, right by the beach.
While you can register now, online, there will also be onsite registration.
All ages are welcome to participate–kids and us “big kids” alike. Two quick rules:
1. All kids are required by law to wear bike helmets, and be escorted by a parent or guardian.
2. No dogs on the beach, please, no matter how patriotic your pooch–again, this is required by law.
OK–now for the fun stuff!
A “star-spangled” morning
When you arrive, be sure to put your bike in the parade lineup first, then get your number from a volunteer.
Be sure you’re there by 9:55, too, as the parade starts at 10 am sharp! (And no one will want to miss the singing of our National Anthem beforehand, on our nation’s 250th birthday!)
Then, at 10 am, everyone takes to the red carpet–and the bike path–for the two-mile round trip. If you don’t plan on being in the parade, come prepared to spectate and cheer–you may bring chairs and watch!
Meanwhile, the contest judges will be looking at the young bicyclists’ entries, for the top ten best-decorated bikes.
Following the parade, there’s an optional patriotic speech contest for the kids, at 10:30 am back at the boat launch. In the past, the patriotic speeches have run 90 seconds or less. A microphone will be provided.
The (red-white-and-blue) moment they’ll be waiting for
And then, at 10:35, the awards ceremony happens.
Judges will have evaluated the young cyclists’ bike entries on four criteria, according to Justin’s website: originality, creativity, spectator appeal, and display of red, white and blue.
The top ten winners will receive prizes of $10 each.
But the real prize? The opportunity to experience the Long Beach community at its best.
The best takeaways
With more than 100 kids expected to participate, Justin writes on his website, “LET’S TEACH our kids about patriotism and creativity. It’s that simple! With this patriotic bike parade, we hope to do just that.”
Community Action Team is teaching them about generosity and compassion, as well.
Again, as you shop this week, please pick up some supplies to be donated to homeless men and women, in lieu of an entrance fee for the parade. Tuna, pasta noodles, breakfast cereal or peanut butter are all on the wish list, and will be collected as you check in.
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! Have a safe, fun time in a nation that, no matter how ominous the headlines, is still characterized by patriotism, compassion and creativity.
The 22nd annual Great American Kids’ Bike Parade happens at 10 am, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the Granada Avenue Boat Launch, 1 Granada Avenue at Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach. In lieu of an entry fee, please bring some of the above-mentioned groceries to donate to organizations that help the homeless.
s about patriotism and creativity. It’s that simple! With this patriotic bike parade we hope to do just that.s about patriotism and creativity. It’s that simple! With this patriotic bike parade we hope to do just that.