R.B. PARADE ENTRANTS, FAIR BOOTHS NEEDED FOR SPIRIT OF FOURTH
Fewer entrants have registered so far than in past years
With early sign-ups low, help from the community is needed to make Rancho Bernardo’s 53rd annual Spirit of the Fourth festivities a success as they return for the first time in two years.
Both the parade and the community fair are below their registrations for this point in previous years, organizers said.
The Spirit of the Fourth parade, last held for its 50th annual version in 2019, is returning Monday, starting at 3:30 p.m. However, it is on pace to be much smaller than in years past.
“We have had a very low amount of entries,” said Myrna Estremera, Spirit of the Fourth first vice president who is organizing the parade. “I don’t know if it is because of COVID, because it was gone for two years or because it will be on a Monday.”
It is free for anyone to enter the parade, whether that be a community organization, a business or just a bunch of neighbors who want to get together to display their patriotic spirit.
All five local high school bands — Rancho Bernardo High Royal Regiment, Poway
High’s Emerald Brigade, Del Norte Nighthawks, Mt. Carmel’s Marching Sundevils and Westview Gold — plan to march in the parade, Estremara said.
Several pageant queens will be riding in the parade, including Miss Rancho Bernardo and Miss Teen Rancho Bernardo, the Miss Poway court and the Miss Escondido court.
Among community organizations that have registered are Rancho Bernardo Democratic Club, Kiwanis Club of Los Rancheros, Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club, the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society, the RB Planning Board, RB Community Council and RB Recreation Advisory Group.
Also participating will be the crew at Fire Station No. 33 and representatives from the Poway Unified School District.
Estremera said she is also looking for people who own convertibles who are willing to drive dignitaries in the parade. In exchange, they will receive tickets to the VIP reception held before the parade and reserved parking for the fireworks show (a value of $150).
To submit a parade entry or volunteer a vehicle, fill out the forms at spiritofthefourth.org/parade.html or email Estremera at rbparadesotf@hotmail.com. She said the deadline is open, but she needs to know as soon as possible.
An easy way for those of all ages — especially youngsters — to participate is by entering the Wheels on Parade. Unlike other parade entries, this group just needs to show up at 3 p.m. Monday in the parking lot near Round Table Pizza in The Plaza, 16761 Bernardo Center Drive.
Wheels on Parade is open to anyone who dresses up in
patriotic colors and uses some type of wheels — roller skates, roller blades, skate boards and wheelchairs — or patriotically decorates their bicycles, tricycles, unicycles and other similar devices. Participants will be given a red, white and blue safari hat, Estremera said. They are also to wear appropriate safety gear, such as bicycle helmets, elbow pads and knee pads.
The parade will travel north on Acena Drive, west on Rancho Bernardo Road, south on Bernardo Center Drive and then go east on Lomica Drive, concluding
near the post office.
As for the Spirit of the Fourth’s community fair held in Webb Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Fourth of July, chairwoman Marla Cruz said she has around 20 booths reserved. Before the pandemic she had more than 30 and remembers a time when the fair had up to 50 booths.
“Everything is pretty slow,” Cruz said. “We want any kind of business, vendor, profit or nonprofit.”
Cruz said the deadline to reserve a booth is today by emailing her at communityfair@spiritofthefourth.org.
Participants will need to provide their canopy, tables and chairs.
Nonprofit organizations may request a free booth. For-profit businesses that will only distribute information pay $40 and those selling non-food items (like jewelry or woodworking) pay $50. There is limited space remaining for those selling food, who pay $75 for their spot.
“There will be a car show and the Patriotic Pet contest, so hopefully there will be a good crowd,” Cruz said.
As for the 12th annual Patriotic Pet contest sponsored by the Rancho Bernardo Community Council, that competition is free to enter, with participants checking in at 8:30 a.m. and judging starting at 9:30 a.m. Monday. Go to the stage in Webb Park.
All well-behaved pets are welcome, including dogs, cats, rabbits, lizards, birds, goats, pigs and hamsters, wearing patriotic costumes and on leashes.