America is on parade Thursday starting at 10 a.m. in Manteca.
And what better place for a Fourth of July parade to take place but on Main Street lined with some of the 2,400 flags volunteers will be placing before dawn’s early light along the major arterial as well as Yosemite Avenue.
Based on past years, you can expect parade entries decked out in red white and blue featuring the community’s youth to those that have since retired but are still helping to weave Manteca’s community fabric.
There will be more than a few cultural entries celebrating Manteca’s diversity as well as tractors, horses, and restored cars.
They will all follow the lead of two grand marshals — Vietnam veterans Specialist Halsey (Hal) Corbett and Sgt. Art Smith — as well as a color guard consisting of their fellow veterans.
It is appropriate Smith and Corbett are leading the parade.
And not just because the theme of the Sunrise Kiwanis sponsored event this year is “Honoring Our Vietnan Veterans.”
They — as representatives of the 45 million Americans who have served in the military over the course of the nation’s history — secured and protected the freedom being celebrated on the Fourth of July,
The procession behind them — and indeed the freedom to assemble along Main Street and for people to own stores, worship as they please, and a long list things we take for granted — was all made possible by those who risked their lives for America.
And if you find its is getting a bit warm as the temperature heads for a predicted high of 108 degrees and the parade starts to wind down, take advantage of the Manteca Fire Department reserve firefighters running from hydrant to hydrant with a hose cart so children and the young at heart can cool down in the middle of the street from a stream of cold water.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. near Golden West School travels south on Main Street and then turns toward Library Park on Center Street where it will end.
Pancake breakfast
The Manteca Rotary’s pancake breakfast takes place this year at the Boys & Girls Club on West Alameda Street, three blocks west of the parade route.
Breakfast is being served from 7 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 4.
The cost is $10.
Aerial fireworks
The City of Manteca’s aerial fireworks start on Thursday, July 4, at 9:30 p.m.
The aerial display will be over the Big League Dreams sports complex northwest of Daniels Street and Airport Way.
Admission is $2 for attendees over the age of 12. Those under 12 are free. Gates open at 7 p.m.
You can also watch the fireworks for free from several nearby venues.
The suggested locations are Bella Vista Park,1580 Bella Terra Drive; Dutra Estates Park 2701, Ancestry St.; Dutra Estates Mini Park 1523, Hearthstrong Drive; Dutra Southeast Park,1850 Sparrowhawk St.; Kevin O'Neill Park 1282 Lauren Park Circle; and Roberts Estates Park, 1740 Rail St.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
