by Noella Noelophile®
What’s better than an old-fashioned Fourth of July tradition by the beach?
An old-fashioned Fourth of July tradition in Long Beach, with some new additions.
This Fourth of July, Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team continues a favorite community Independence Day tradition, with lots of free daytime family activities. They’re having their usual Great American Kids’ Bike Parade, Patriotic Speech Contest and Costume Contest, at Rosie’s Dog Beach.
But before that, the festivities start with two NEW activities.
At 8:00, there’ll be a “Great American 4th of July 5K” run and walk, for all ages. Unlike the bike parade and kids’ contests , this has an advance registration fee of $30. (The fee includes a T-shirt and refreshments, and proceeds support the Community Action Team.)
Then, at 9:15, there’s a “Kids’ 1/2 Mile Run”, which has a registration fee of $15, in advance. Here’s the link to register for both events.
Then, the kids’ patriotic speech contest, which is free, happens at 9:30. According to the event Facebook page, participants up to age 12 are eligible. Speeches can be original or a part of a well-known patriotic selection (such as the Gettysburg Address), from 60 to 90 seconds, and can be memorized or read. Finalists get to give their speeches to the crowd after the bike parade.
At 9:50, the kids’ costume contest takes place.
And at 10:00, everyone takes to the bike path, to celebrate our nation’s 240th birthday! But be sure to stay around after the parade. The finalists in the Patriotic Speech Contest need you to cheer them to victory, as the judges determine the winners!
As Justin Rudd has been heard to shout from his bike, in the past, “Happy Fourth of Julyyyyyy!” We’ll see you at the beach.
The Great American 4th of July 5K starts at 8 am, Monday, July 4, 2016, at Rosie’s Dog Beach, at 1 Granada Avenue near East Ocean Boulevard, in Long Beach. Advance registration, as noted above, is $30–here’s the link to register for this and the Kids’ 1/2 Mile Run, which starts at 9:15 and is $15 to enter. Free festivities, including the kids’ patriotic speech contest, start at 9:30, and participants may register onsite.