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After a two-year pandemic induced hiatus, Redwood City’s long history of celebrating Independence Day again resumed this past Monday, July 4th.
Attendance didn’t break any records. However, those who partook were happy to be part of the city’s tradition of hosting one of the west coast’s largest Independence Day parades.
Records indicate as far back as 1861, patriotic celebrations took place, which included John Diller (Diller-Chamberlain Store) reading the Declaration of Independence in front of enthusiastic gatherings.
In 1887, a day-long celebration included a 38-gun salute. The festivities also gave birth to the Redwood City Brass Band, fireworks, a parade and a hot air balloon ascension. This is generally viewed as Redwood City’s first official July 4th celebration.
In the early 1900ss horse drawn buggies were gradually replaced by floats.
Then in 1939, things ramped up.
Three men, car dealer Ole Oleson, real estate agent Charles Holt and butcher Walt Maloney, met with Redwood City’s Recreation Director Red Morton to discuss expanding the Independence Day celebrations.
Their efforts paid off.
Fourth of July celebrations that year drew over 2,000 people to the parade. Afterwards, the daytime parade folks went to the rodeo, which included nighttime fireworks. An estimated 10,000 attended the evening activities.
It was so successful that a decision was made to establish the Peninsula Celebration Association, a nonprofit to manage future Independence Day Celebrations. The association remains to this day.
Eventually, the parade became one of the largest in the western United States. Moreover, the rodeo attracted up to 36,000 attendees over four days.
As the years rolled by, population growth and encroaching commercial development brought pressure to develop the land. Eventually, the land was sold. As a result, the final rodeo took place in 1963.
While the barn door for the rodeo closed, the parade continued.
Aside from World War II and a temporary suspension in the early 1950s when Highway 101 construction took place, the parade has been an annual celebration.
COVID-19 put a damper on it recently. However, this year its resumption is another indicator that life is returning to normal and moving forward.
Everything else is just history
Some of the photos used in this blog are courtesy of the Local History Room, Redwood City's best-kept secret. The Local History Collection covers all aspects of Redwood City's development, from the 1850s to the present day, with particular emphasis on businesses, public schools, civic organizations, city agencies, and early family histories. The Local History Room is not affiliated with the Redwood City Public Library, but it is inside it.
