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Fourth of July Parade Honors Firefighters
The annual Fourth of July Parade paid tribute to firefighters as an enthusiastic crowd lined the streets of Julian. Dignitaries praised the townsfolk for pulling together after the disastrous effects of the Cedar fire last October. A hush fell over the crowd as the brother of a fallen firefighter delivered a message from his family. Bob Rucker, of Valencia, said they were very touched by the way the town continues to remember his brother, Steve Rucker. Steve Rucker was fighting a fire in Simi Valley last October when his company from the Novato fire department in Northern California got the call to send another unit to Julian for mutual aid. Steve Rucker died on Oct. 29 while battling the blaze in Wynola.
Prior to the parade, Aim for Christ, a team of mimes from Ramona, performed. Bob Stuart, dressed as Abraham Lincoln, sang "God Bless America" and Garnette Riney sang the National Anthem. Bob Rucker and his wife, Penny, served as grand marshals of the parade. Fly-overs by vintage aircraft and the San Diego Fire Department’s helicopter signaled the start of the parade. Norman Perez, of El Cajon, won the drawing for a ride at a later date in a vintage aircraft. Firefighters from around the county and as far away as Arizona took part in the parade. The Grey beards, a group of retired firefighters from the New York City Fire Department, were led by Jack Toale, president of the 19th division based in San Diego. A popular entry was a 1902 American steam fire pumper drawn by three horses. The fully restored vehicle is one of only eight known to exist. It is the only one in operational condition, according to owner Bob Hubert, of Orange County. The other seven are housed in museums, he said.
Hubert located the pumper about 14 years ago, sitting neglected in a barn, and took five years to restore it. He now uses it for parades and other special exhibitions. Miner’s Diner won for its float, complete with a gorilla riding on board and waitresses walking alongside while balancing trays of hamburgers and malts. Best Vintage Auto honors went to Bob Hildebrand for his 1936 Chevrolet truck. The Esperañza Drum & Bugle Corps won the judges’ approval for the Best Youth Musical entry. The Emerald Society Pipers Band was chosen for the Best Musical entry. The Buffalo Soldiers, led by Chuck Amber, won the Specialty Award. Best Theme award went to the Fire Riders, an equestrian trio led by Cara Ballou, with riders and horses donning yellow and red fire-fighting apparel.
Friends of the Julian Library won in the Youth Open division with young readers riding on the 1912 Mack Stage owned by Julian Historical Society. Best Motorized entry went to Mike’s Tree Ranch with its theme "We Remember." Best Equestrian award was won by the Julian Stables. There were about 60 entries in the parade that marched down Main Street from Cape Horn Avenue to Washington Street. Dignitaries in the parade included county Supervisor Dianne Jacob, U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter, state Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, state Assemblyman Jay La Suer and El Cajon Mayor Mark Lewis. Jim Mazzone, president of the Julian Fourth of July Parade Inc., called this year’s parade "better than ever."
"Everybody seemed to be happy with the results," he said. "We had some new and different things that were great attractions and we were very pleased."
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