Parade Information
Organization name:The Alameda Business Association (ABA)
Address:
919 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
Status:
501(c)(6) non-profit organization
Phone number:
(408) 436-8581
Fax number:
(408) 436-8583
Website URL:
www.rosewhiteblueparade.org
Email address:
rwbparade@gmail.com
Event Name:
Rose, White and Blue 4th of July ParadeParade Route:
Begins at West San Carlos and Shasta Ave. and ends on The Alameda and near Shasta Ave.
Picnic Location:
On The Alameda between Hanchett Avenue and Shasta Avenue
Event Date:
July 4, 2011Press Releases:
Governor's Historic Preservation Award Press Release
Logos for Download:
Black & White with lace (vertical format)
Black & White without lace (horizontal format)
Color with lace (vertical format)
Color without lace (horizontal format)
For Photos of Previous Years' Parades and Historic Photos visit our Photo Gallery
The Alameda Business Association (ABA) is presenting the Fourth Annual Rose, White and Blue 4th of July Parade (R,W&B Parade). Inspired by historic parades on The Alameda (such as the "Rose Carnival" beginning in 1896 and the "Fiesta de Las Roses" in the 20's and 30's), the R,W&B Parade was chosen as an appropriate event to celebrate our neighborhood, our city, and our country. The Parade seeks to build on the historic roots of the area and replicate the fun and excitement of an old fashioned 4th of July parade. The Rose White and Blue 4th of July Parade and Festival was conceived by The ABA to showcase The Alameda as a lively business district, a historic neighborhood destination, and a vehicle to incorporate the residents of the area into a celebration encompassing all walks of life. We believe our parade and festival is the ideal forum for promoting culture in San Jose. We use our parade as a platform to allow cultural groups in San Jose to exhibit their skills by performing in the Parade and allowing them to raise money for their organizations.
The Parade
The Parade begins at a staging area West San Carlos and Shasta Ave and winds through the charming and historic streets of the Shasta/Hanchett Neighborhood, ending at our festival area located near Shasta Avenue and The Alameda. Schools, marching bands, dance groups, antique auto clubs, high wheel bicyclists, fire trucks, service organizations, equestrians, color guards, pets and their owners are all invited to participate in the Parade. With participation from RGPNA, S/HPNA, College Park Neighborhood Association, Westminster Presbyterian Church, the Capernaum Club for handicapped teens and over 500 local children, our parade has become a tradition. Our parade is paced with a mobile calliope that both leads and announces (loudly) the parade. In 2010, Steve "The Woz" Wozniak was honored as our parade Grand Marshall. Local dignitaries, dance groups, Boy and Girl Scouts, military units, antique car clubs, and floats were featured in last year's parade. We will continue this year with our float making competition where cash prizes are offered to the top three entrants. At the staging area we provide patriotic red, white and blue decorations for the kids to decorate their bikes and wagons. Last year 500 kids and their parents showed up to decorate and be in the parade. The parade continues to be subject of conversation and continued excitement in our community. Everyone is looking forward to this year's parade. The Parade will begin at 10AM and is expected to conclude at noon.
Vision
We believe that we can build upon our success during the last two years and develop an increasingly popular event that allows San Jose residents to spend their 4th of July here in San Jose. Last year our parade grew from 10,000 to 20,000 spectators and we expect as many as 25,000 this year. Last year there were 150 entries in our parade. The parade will be 50% longer this year (2 miles). We are the only daytime event on the 4th of July that caters to families and children in our area of San Jose. Since San Jose has no major 4th of July Parade, residents must leave San Jose to enjoy a traditional 4th of July Parade. We believe that the demand for a 4th of July parade is so great here in San Jose that, in the future, we will be able to re-establish a tradition in San Jose that has gone dormant for so many years. The original Fiesta de Las Rosas Parade travelled down The Alameda and attracted as many as 250,000 onlookers. We also intend to keep the "hometown" quality and feel to our parade where kids, pets, homemade floats, and fun are an essential part of this event.
Mission
The mission statement of the ABA is "to promote, enhance and strengthen the commercial, professional, civic and general business interests of members through cultural ties and community involvement." The R,W&B Parade provides a meaningful way for the ABA to work closely with the surrounding neighborhoods, and contribute support to the community which represents a significant customer base for many ABA members. The parade offers an opportunity to engage the community, reveal our shared history, and reinforce our common cultural ties. The mission statement for the R,W&B Parade is as follows: "To build a historic community parade that brings together the residents, businesses and organizations who take pride in the Alameda Neighborhood Business District and in the neighborhoods that surround The Alameda." We believe that this mission statement characterizes the purposes and goals of the ABA. It is why we dedicate our time and effort to expanding this newly created 4th of July tradition. Management and Security
To learn more about the Alameda Business Association (ABA) please visit the website at www.the-alameda.com. For more information on the Rose, White & Blue Parade check out the website at www.RWBparade.org