Independence Day parades and celebrations were part of the Fourth of July festivities on Thursday as temperatures crept past the 100-degree-plus mark.
Inside the gated Del Webb Sunset City retirement community in Apple Valley, residents enjoyed a continental breakfast and the “Little Town America” patriotic-themed parade.
The parade route included 75 golf carts, 10 bicycles, scooters and a military truck, retired teacher Nita Paddack told the Daily Press.
Many carts and bikes were decorated with American flags, inflatables, banners, streamers and stuffed animals.
One inflatable, a large eagle wearing a patriotic top hat, was strapped to the roof of one golf cart and appeared larger than the vehicle.
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“The turnout was great even with the heat. Tonight, a Beach Boys tribute concert,” Paddack said. “If you live here and you’re bored, it’s your own fault.”
Lucerne Valley
A stream of patriotism flowed through Lucerne Valley during the town’s Independence Day Parade.
Grand Marshal Owen Meyer, a member of the Lucerne Valley Citizen on Patrol, led the parade of Jeeps, trucks, floats, race vehicles, horses and more.
Parade participants carried American and military flags, balloons, signs, banners and streamers. Some used speakers to blast songs like Lee Greenwood’s ”God Bless The U.S.A.”
One float included a group of children throwing water balloons and using squirt guns to cool off parade goers sitting along the parade route.
“This year, we had the most floats in years with 35 entries, Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce President Angie Miller told the Daily Press. “Lucerne Valley is getting back to their small-town fun and community participation. I am so proud to be a part of the amazing people in our small town.”
Angelina Vrolyks said the weather, at the start of the parade, was perfect as children and adults lined the sidewalks in anticipation of the procession of colorful floats.
“The first floats passed by playing upbeat music and tossing handfuls of candy into the cheering crowd,” Vrolyks said. “It was so much fun trying to catch the sweets before they hit the ground.”
She added that several floats had water guns or water balloons that they used to spray the sweltering spectators, providing much needed relief from the rising heat.
“By the time the parade ended an hour later, the temperature had climbed significantly,” Vrolyks said. “While it was a blast participating in this fun town tradition, I was grateful to get out of the sun.”
On Thursday, the high temperature in Apple Valley was 107 degrees, while Lucerne Valley reached the 105 mark.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
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