ANATOMY OF A PARADE
BY Rick Wright
Oceanside is adjacent to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, one of the largest military bases in the United States. The proximity to this large military base makes it possible to stage a fantastic Independence Day parade each year. In Oceanside, we call it the Freedom Days Parade and it is held on the first Saturday prior to the 4th of July. This year's parade attracted 5,000 spectators who enjoyed almost 100 parade entries, including the 1st Marine Division Marching Band, the two local high school bands, military vehicles, Pearl Harbor survivors, Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Humane Society, the Bookmobile and many, many others.
My partner, Lu and I had the privilege of distributing free American flags to the crowds lined up on either side of the parade route. Our job was to drive our patriotically decorated golf cart up and down the street and pass out as many flags as we could before the parade started.
Once the parade began, we hung out on the judging stand and watched the parade go by. Here are some photos that Lu shot from the judging stand mixed with some photos taken by our friend and talented photographer Dave Thomas.
The view from the judging stand (between parade entries).
It takes about seventy volunteers to put on the parade.
The parade was led by Girl Scout Troop 1227 carrying the MainStreet Oceanside banner. (MainStreet Oceanside stages the parade every year.) You can see the 1st Marine Division Band behind them.
They were followed by the Young Marines.
The Grand Marshall for the parade was Alex Kapitanski, known throughout our area as "The Flag Man".
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The theme for the 2009 parade is America’s Landmarks. How fitting that the Mainstreet Oceanside Parade Committee selected Alex Kapitanski as the Grand Marshall for the Freedom Days Parade this year! Kapitanksi is a treasured Oceanside Landmark and his flag displays are a beautiful testament to his dedication and patriotism.
Kapitanksi has been known to North County residents as the “Flag Man” for many years. He has displayed flags on nearly every special occasion in Oceanside and many other communities. It is estimated that Kapitanksi has displayed over 3 million flags in his lifetime.
Kapitanski’s patriotism got its start in Vermont when as a Boy Scout, he learned the importance of our flag and honoring it. He began at an early age to accumulate flags and hang them in honor. His huge collection of flags is carefully displayed and lovingly taken down by him at each event.
He is a decorated World War II veteran who saw active duty in the European Theater. Numerous civic awards and accolades for his devotion to our community have come his way.
We are thrilled to honor Alex Kapitanksi, Oceanside’s Flag Man, as the Grand Marshall of the 2009 Freedom Days Parade.
Kapitanksi has been known to North County residents as the “Flag Man” for many years. He has displayed flags on nearly every special occasion in Oceanside and many other communities. It is estimated that Kapitanksi has displayed over 3 million flags in his lifetime.
Kapitanski’s patriotism got its start in Vermont when as a Boy Scout, he learned the importance of our flag and honoring it. He began at an early age to accumulate flags and hang them in honor. His huge collection of flags is carefully displayed and lovingly taken down by him at each event.
He is a decorated World War II veteran who saw active duty in the European Theater. Numerous civic awards and accolades for his devotion to our community have come his way.
We are thrilled to honor Alex Kapitanksi, Oceanside’s Flag Man, as the Grand Marshall of the 2009 Freedom Days Parade.
The two Oceanside high school marching bands participate each year even though school is out of session. What a great show of community support.
Oceanside High School Marching Band and Color Guard
El Camino Golden Pride Marching Band and Pageantry
Local businesses enter the parade to show support for the community and to get a little publicity.
Tom and Marlynn from Pier View Coffee.
S & R Towing
Surfin' Fire Surf Lessons
The Wells Fargo Stagecoach
Wells Fargo also sent a group of young people down the parade route with little gifts for the spectators.
The giant hot dog is Marty from Dad's Hot Dogs. Marty is also a local celebrity famous for selling his great hot dogs at the Oceanside beach and the weekly Sunset Market.
Yes, we have one in Oceanside.
The parade also featured some "floats". These are all decorated by the groups that sponsor them.
It wouldn't be a parade without pets - here represented by the North County Humane Society and the Spay Neuter Action Project.
The Shriners
Beauty Queens:
The incredible variety of groups that enter the parade means there is never a dull moment for spectators.
Various groups from Camp Pendleton represent the local military influence. Many of the Marines stationed on Camp Pendleton live in our community.
This is City Councilman Jack Feller cheering as the parade passes by.
Then, as quickly as it started, the parade ends. City crews spring into action, sweeping the streets and taking down the P.A. system.
