Kailua 4th of July Parade.

Yesterday, being the 4th of July, there is a small town on the island of Oahu that annually holds an Independepence Day Parade. I marched in it once about 15 years ago, but haven't been back to see it since.

The smallish town of Kailua, is known mostly for it's 2 beautiful beaches, Lanikai and Kailua. It's a bedroom community, with very little frills in the way of nightlife, places of interestes, architecture, etc. so it's been about 5 years since I've been there. There are some good restraunts there, I've heard, but nothing I would travel 45 minutes to experience.

Lately, I've been hearing Tourists are renting cabins or staying at bed and breakfastes there, but I would think with the lack of amenities, that I mentioned earlier, they would be heavily dissappointed. However, many have given favorable reports of their stay there.

When I arrived at Kailua, I was a bit surprised at the added strip malls that have sprung up, but mostly that they were designed in pleasing aesthetic designs. No longer are commercial buildings, the rectangular, white or beige buildings, which must have been the vogue when Kailua was being developed. Even some, but not all, strip malls that were in those design, were renovated to add more character to their appearances.

Also were more outdoor type cafes, artwork, fountains, bell or clock towers, turrets, mosaics,etc. giving the area a semi-European Mediterrean flavor. I think the Tourist presence is being recognized and they are doing something about it.

The parade route, which basically, ran though a neighborhood area, was quite filled with people, since there were grassy sidewalk areas, rather than concrete as most mainland cities might have, making it comfortable for people to sit and wait. People seem to know each other when they saw someone pass by, conversation was lively among the spectators as opposed to those in a larger city.

The parade itself was quite informal, no dazzling floats, bands, etc. but more Tee-shirt marching groups, touting their favorite candidates and the candidates themselves or businesses passing out free samples. There was a guy dressed as Abe Linclon, a band of guys dressed as colonists, various beauty queens riding in cars, hastily constructed floats. A group or band from Austrailia, baton girls from mainland schools such as Tennesse, Washington, etc. Veterens from WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars, and did I mention Candidates? Ironically, a trolly carrying WWII Vets broked down about a 1/2 mile from the end, so it was quite sad to see them hobbling to the Park at the end.

Enjoyed the two trick bike riders, one standing on the seat and handle and both riding the bike in a low sideways position (see photos). The kids from the Gymnast school was also amazing and highly entertaining. While some marching groups, especially from the mainland, looked wilted in the muggy weather, the gymnasts were enthusiacally somersaulting all over the place without being prompted, it seems.

The lack of glitz and glitter was made up in the spontiniety and high spirits of the participants and the crowds.

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