Registration is underway for the Novato Fourth of July Parade, the North Bay’s largest Independence Day celebration. The all-volunteer committee is welcoming entries through Friday, June 15, and encouraging creative minds to tie entries to the big-top theme, “The Greatest Town on Earth.”
The parade invited the family of Kathy Nickel to serve as grand marshals. Nickel was the longtime chair of the event, serving as chief organizer and spiritual inspiration for the volunteers who donate their time to run the nonprofit group that puts on the parade. Nickel, the 2015 Novato Citizen of the Year, passed away three days after last year’s parade.
The Novato parade attracts upwards of 10,000 spectators and hundreds of participants. It starts at 10 a.m. on Grant Avenue at Reichert Avenue in the heart of Old Town and runs west for approximately seven-tenths of a mile to Seventh Street.
The parade always needs volunteers. Service organizations, houses of worship, and other civic groups are encouraged to round up a handful of people to assist with the parade. It’s an excellent opportunity for high school students to accumulate community service to boost a resume or college application. Email questions about volunteering to NovatoParadeVolunteer@
Prior to the parade, the Presbyterian Church of Novato will hold its annual Buckaroo Breakfast in the parking lot of the Redwood Credit Union (Grant Avenue at First Street).
Questions about entries or parade policies may be submitted through the website. More parade information is on novatoparade.com.