July 6, 2023
This year’s 4th of July Parade was one for the books! The Firecracker Mile runners started it out in style, with many young runners and very little ones running this year, in addition to those being pushed in patriotically decorated strollers.
The parade started with the Tahoe-Truckee Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol’s presentation of the colors. This year we honored the Town of Truckee’s Public Works department as the Parade Grand Marshall, for their heroic efforts this winter. They showed off several of their vehicles and crew that worked tirelessly over last mega-winter.
Thanks to Crux Events for providing fun music before and after the parade as well as the amazing Crux Judge & MC Stage. Jim Simon and Ravn Whitington of Porter Simon and Mayor Lindsay Romack were great as the MCs. Our President and CEO, Jessica Penman, served as one of the judges, along with Truckee Chamber Board Director Bill Greeno of Quality Automotive Servicing and others. We enjoyed the Mountain Belles singing their beautiful harmonies of patriotic songs downtown on the judges’s stage and Tahoe Truckee Media filmed the parade live. You can view the recording online here at Tahoe Truckee Media. You’ll particularly want to view the recording to hear the award-winning bands – they took three of the six categories this year.
There were many great entries and the tally was close. It was fun seeing all of the Wizard of Oz versions of costumes and more interpretations of why “There’s No Place Like Home.” THE WINNERS WERE: Grand Winner – Tahoe Truckee School of Music’s Wacky Whirlwind of Musical Mayhem: A Munchkin Mixtape Extravaganza! (Sponsored by Quality Automotive Servicing); Youth – Truckee High School Marching Band; Commercial – Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District’s Parks Make Life Better; Nonprofit – Tahoe Cheer’s 4th of July Spirit Camp; Open – Jibboom Street Marching Band; Classic Auto – Reno Mustang Car Club.
New This Year – BIG LIFE Connections VIP Seating Near the Crux Judge & MC Stage
We had a lot of fun getting to know some newer residents and learning more about longtime locals who joined us, with a front-row seat near the Crux Judge & MC Stage for the parade on the 4th! This was our first year setting up a Truckee Chamber “Base Camp for a Big Life” tent and seating outside of our California Welcome Center office at the depot. It was a hit and we enjoyed experiencing the parade and all the happy celebrators up close.
Thanks again to our sponsors! We couldn’t put on this beloved Truckee tradition without them:
