Julian Celebrates Fourth with Traditional Parade
By Bobbi Zane

Albie and Tory Stark and other volunteers were busy July 3 putting up the many American flags that so colorfully decorated Julian's Main Street for the Fourth of July Parade.

Julian was all red, white and blue for the annual July Fourth parade. Bunting, flags and banners decorated Main Street as parade units stepped

out from the high school for the 15th annual presentation of the Greatest Small Town Parade in America.

This year, the parade honored Hometown Heroes and saluted the Submarine War Veterans "who have been with us since the beginning," according to Jim Mazzone. Mazzone, who started the current version of the parade in 1993, said, "We had three great bands, always-popular flyover, and Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who has also been with us since the beginning. In spite of the high price of gas, attendance was very close to last year's."

Leading a group of Hometown Heroes was Grand Marshall Kevin Dubler. Chief of the Julian Cuyamaca Volunteer Fire District, Dubler is a man of many talents, not the least of which is playing a big part in keeping wildfires out of Julian and vastly improving the emergency medical service provided by the fire district. As the district's first paid chief, he brought the paramedics under the fire district's umbrella and obtained grant money to support the program. He was also able to acquire new firefighting equipment that enabled the department to fight effectively during recent wildfires.

"Hometown Heroes," representing Julian community organizations, rode down Main Street in style on the historic Mack Stage.

Other Hometown Heroes included representatives of the community organizations that add to the quality of life in Julian on an everyday basis. Each organization nominated a member to represent it by riding down Main Street in the historic Mack Stage. Groups and their nominees included Julian Triangle Club charter member Bobbi Green; Julian Woman's Club President Rose Mary Gossman; Lions Club President Dick Thilken; American Legion Lincoln Demming Post 468 Commander Art Beaudry; Sons of the American Legion; American Legion Auxiliary, Alice Froyck; Julian Historical Society, Pete Larson and Betty Zerbe; Friends of the Julian Library President Jan Mattias and librarian Colleen Baker; Julian Medical Foundation, Jim Seger; Julian Chamber of Commerce and Julian Merchants Association, Dawn Glass.

Pre-parade activities, always a big hit for those who arrive early, included the traditional aircraft flyovers, a demonstration by Civil War re-enactors, a staged bank robbery and gunfight presented by the Doves and Desperados, and remarks by Supervisor Dianne Jacob.

Mike Menghini headed up a committee of 20 that began working on the parade last fall.

Parade Winners

Golden Nugget: Buffalo Soldiers

Best Theme: Parks and Recreation

Best Specialty: Mountain Tribal Gypsy

Best Open Entry: Coyote Holler

Best Motorized: Submarine Veterans

Best Vintage Vehicle: Mr. Keiper 1930 Coupe

Best Youth Open: Santa Ysabel Tribal Dancing Children

Best Equestrian: Heaven's Hollow