Julian Fourth Festival To Honor Firefighters
by Bobbi Zane

Firefighters who helped save historic Julian during last fall’s firestorm will be honored at events of the town’s Fourth of July parade and celebration. This year’s theme is "Tribute to Firefighters."

Centerpiece of the celebration is the town’s parade, dubbed by some "the best small-town July Fourth parade in America."

Riding in the parade this year as grand marshals is the family of firefighter Steve Rucker, who gave his life in the effort to save the town. Family members will include brother Bob Rucker and sister Starla Lincoln, who will be coming from their homes in Northern California for the Julian celebration.

A classic, home-grown event, the Julian parade always features local hand-made floats, the Julian High School Eagles Marching Band, members of the 4-H club with their animals, the American Legion Post 468 color guard, the century-old Mack Stage that members of the Julian Historical Society restored, a horse-drawn steam-powered fire engine built in 1902, llamas, beautifully restored classic cars, and Julian’s famous Floozies.

"This parade may have more marching units, floats, firefighters, dignitaries and musical groups than we ever had in our history," said Jim Mazzone, chairman of the parade committee.

The parade usually draws more than 5,000 visitors, who spend the day enjoying other activities surrounding the main event. Although some grandstand seating is available, most people take up spots along Main Street where they can visit with other parade-watchers and see the entrants go by.

Julian’s July Fourth festivities also include a weekend full of activities: the historic quilt show put on by the Julian Woman’s Club, a traditional deep-pit barbecue dinner presented by the American Legion, and a classic car show at the Menghini Winery. Entertainment will be offered in town all day.

"Plan to get your place on Main Street early," Mazzone urges visitors. Pre-parade activities starting at 10:15 a.m. will feature a tribute to Steve Rucker; a screaming, barrel-rolling flyover by Bob Grundzik in his vintage World War II aircraft; patriotic songs; speeches by County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and elected representatives in Congress and the California Legislature; an appearance by Miss Julian Rebecca Thomas; gunfights by the Julian Doves and Desperadoes and the Alpine Out-laws; and ice cream for kids along the parade route. A firefighting demonstration by members of the California Division of Forestry also will precede the parade.

"You can purchase tickets for the drawing to ride in one of the World War II planes," Mazzone said. The $10 tickets, which benefit the parade, will be sold during pre-parade activities. The winning ticket will be drawn and announced before the march begins.

A visit to the Historic Quilt Show in Town Hall is a must for most parade visitors. This year’s show will hold a display of quilts donated to fire victims, including firefighters from all over the country. Eleanor Burns, known to quilters everywhere as the author of the "Quilt in a Day" books, will have some of her personal quilts in the display, as will many Julian residents who collect and create quilts.

Another highlight of the day’s activities is the deep-pit barbecue, a 59-year tradition presented by members of the Julian American Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the Legion. Festivities at the Legion will include a bake sale, raffles and entertainment by Wilderness.

Also part of the holiday weekend festivities is the Julian Classic Motoring Show, to be presented by the Julian Classic Motoring Society. Cars and motorcycles will be on display July 3 at the Menghini Winery. Among the cars to be displayed are a 1929 Pierce-Arrow; 1958 Morris Minor woodie; 1956 Lotus XI Series I, 1960 Porsche Spider; and a 1964 Cobra Coupe.