It’s all about “Red, White & Youth” at Long Beach’s 8th annual “Great American 4th of July Kids’ Bike Parade” as youngsters decorate their bicycles with patriotic-colored streamers, crepe paper and balloons while waving American flags. With a start time of 10am, the two-mile, leisurely paced “out and back” parade will travel east along the bike path, continuing down Bay Shore Avenue to 2nd Street.
Sponsored by the nonprofit Community Action Team and led by two police bike officers, the event is free to enter. Those interested may register on-site on Monday, July 4 by arriving between 9:15am and 9:45am, lining up their bikes, and then registering. Wagons, strollers, and wheelchairs are also very welcome.
Organizers of the parade have identified dozens of Long Beach students who do not have the means to have a bike, and who have been inspirational at school. They will be presented with brand-new bikes, locks and helmets at the event, compliments of the Long Beach Turkey Trot.
After the parade, Long Beach Police Deputy Chief Robert Luna will speak to the kids, followed by awards, a watermelon-seed spitting contest, a costume contest, and a patriotic speech contest. For more information, visit bikeparade.com.
