Hillsboro has the best Fourth of July parade. High school bands, businesses, private schools, churches, civic groups, law enforcement and emergency services, gymnastics, square dancing, auto clubs, and others join in the fun.
Most participants throw candy to those lining the sidewalks. This year we positioned ourselves near (actually, before) the beginning of the route to maximize our take. (Last year, we were near the route’s end with the opposite result.) We took little pint pails for our haul and had to empty them multiple times into a bag we had with us. People from Hoffman Farms Store walked by giving out little plastic containers of fresh blueberries. That’s effective advertising! :-)
Some parts of the parade are beloved traditions (at least by my family). There’s the Get a Life marching band that would rather miss a practice than a meal. As they march along, band members punctuate their songs with cheers of, “Let’s eat!” And there’s the man riding his miniature bicycle pulling a little dog riding a skateboard.
There were some differences from last year: no candidates for office, not as many fire trucks, no synchronized motorcycle officers — and no rain. Instead, we saw something new: multiple groups of government and tax protesters.
The spirit of Independence Day lives on!
How do you celebrate the Fourth?
5 responses to “Hillsboro Fourth of July Parade 2009”
Great photos! I'm going to have to go back and check my other movie clips I took: I was in the parade and I think I remember a little group of kids with buckets.
Thanks! We just love the Hillsboro parade.
If you're looking for any clips of us, we were *before* the start of the parade, on Grant, just east of Third, on the right (north) side. I can't believe we were the only ones smart enough to bring buckets for the candy, though.
Hoffman Farms still gets my vote for the coolest handout. I ate some of their blueberries for lunch today. Mmm.
Lot’s of candy in the Rainier Days parade two weeks ago too! I think we were the only ones who didn’t bring buckets. And those John Deere tractors look mighty familiar!
I was in the Hillsboro Parade in the mid 70s, riding on the back of Beaverton Fire Depts’. 1949 fire engine. It was a lot of fun!
That sounds like fun. :-)
Last year, Jamison was able to ride Hillsboro’s engine 104.
Very cool! (have to do this over – it said my comment was tooooooooooooooo short. Not fat, mind you, just short)