Small Town America At It’s Best Julian 4th of July Parade

Photos by Darrel Kinney

By Ruth Lepper

“The Spirits of July Fourth” were alive and well as the annual parade got under way in downtown Julian.

The theme paid tribute to military personnel protecting America’s freedom through the centuries.

The 12th annual event was marked by a bank holdup — all in fun — with the Julian Doves & Desperadoes pitted against the Whiskey Creek Cowboys from Warner Springs. The re-enactment teams faced off, with the Julian troupe overcoming the visiting ruffians.

When their turn came to march in the parade, the captured Cowboys were wrapped in ropes and riding on the back of a truck, while the Doves & Desperadoes accepted their well-deserved acclamations from the crowd.

The much-awaited introduction to the parade came from high in the sky.

Flyovers by several World War II planes and other vintage aircraft were the hit of the day. Dwayne Strong, an out-of-towner, won the opportunity drawing for a ride at a later date in one of the planes.

The national anthem was sung by Bette Gorton and Sandy Shelver, Julian residents who are past winners of international awards with the Sweet Adelines, a worldwide organization of female singers.

Organizers estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 people lined Main Street to watch the parade, which featured 75 entries. It was the longest Fourth of July parade in Julian history.

Jim Mazzone, one of the parade founders, was honored for his many years of participation. He has stepped down and now serves as a consultant to the parade’s board of directors.

Mike Menghini was chairman of this year’s parade, saying, “It’s small-town America at its best.”

Ronne Froman, a retired rear admiral who served 31 years with the U.S. Navy and former “Navy Mayor of San Diego,” served as the grand marshal. Froman is the chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Special military guests, participating for the 12th year, were The Submariners, a marching veterans group from San Diego. The unit is composed of World War II submarine veterans; the United States Submarine Veterans Inc., of San Diego; and active-duty members from Submarine Base San Diego. The group is comprised of veterans from World War II and the cold war era, including Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf.

World War II submariners, making up less than 2 percent of the U.S. Navy, were responsible for sinking more than 5.5 million tons of enemy ships — more than all other armed forces combined.

Their losses were great, however. One of every three men and one of every five submarines didn’t return to home ports.

Some veterans in the parade rode in a 1970 M35a2 troop carrier owned and operated by California Overland Desert Excursions of Borrego Springs.

Judges selected James “Ace” Carnahan, of Shelter Valley, for a Specialty Award. Carnahan is familiar to parade watchers as Buffalo Bill Cody. He is a regular part of the parade and enjoys shaking hands with people on the sidelines. He appears as Buffalo Bill at various events throughout the Southwest.

The Vintage Auto Award went to a 1952 Chevrolet truck entered by Williams & Sons Masonry.

The Youth Open Award went to the Mountain Kids Preschool, a group that meets at Whispering Winds Camp in Harrison Park. The youngsters and parents were riding on a 1962 Van Pelt Fire Engine from the camp.

The Best Equestrian Award went to the Bustillos and Atkins families.

The Best Musical Award was well-deserved by the Calexico High School marching band and color guard.

The Julian parade serves as the beginning of the school’s marching season. Mark Lucas is the band director, the color guard is led by Martha Araujo, and drum major is Carlos Auyon. The band played an armed forces medley in honor of the men and women who served and are now serving to protect America and its freedom.

The Best Youth Musical Award went to the Julian Union High School Band, riding on the back of a flatbed truck.

The Best Motorized Entry Award was given to a float by the Miners Diner that featured super heroes of the 1950s.

An Open Entry Award was bestowed upon the Mountain Tribal Gypsies, Julian’s own belly dance troupe.

The Best Theme Award went to the Hair and Nail Hut in Wynola, for its colorful red, white and blue entry.

Local favorites included County Supervisor Dianne Jacob riding a horse owned by Mike Van Bier of Julian; Bob Stuart portraying Abraham Lincoln; Miss Julian, Eireann Hutchinson and her court, princesses Jessica Goodlett, Sherlice Nichols and Julia Adams; and the Mack Stage from the Julian Historical Society.