Orinda 4th of July Parade

 July 4, 2023, 10 a.m.

2023 theme: Earth Kindness

The Orinda Association
Volunteer Center
26 Orinda Way
Orinda, CA
Free, OrindaAssociation.org

• La Morinda Pancake Breakfast 7:30 a.m.
• Fun Run 8 a.m.
• 4th of July Parade 10 a.m.
• Concert with Tin Man - 60s-90s rock music in the park 11:30 a.m.

Parade at 10 a.m.

July 4th is an Orinda tradition started by the Orinda Association in the early 1980s as a way to celebrate not only Independence Day, but also to celebrate community.  Thousands of citizens gather on this special day to not only watch or participate in the parade, but also attend the numerous other events available throughout the day. On July 4th there are events for every age group starting with the annual Pancake Breakfast, flag raising ceremony, fun run, parade, live music, food, games and booths in the park following the parade. Everyone is invited to participate in the planning, sponsor a booth or event, participate in the parade, host a booth in the park, or just come and enjoy the events.

Street Closures:
Detailed information can be found on the Map of the Orinda Parade and Community Events coming soon. Roads along the parade route will be closed. Additionally, below is a list of other access roads which will be restricted during the parade and community center events after the parade.

1. The westbound Highway 24 on ramp (east side of Camino Pablo) will be closed during the parade from approximately 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
2. One northbound lane of Camino Pablo will remain open.
3. The southbound lanes of Camino Pablo with the on/off ramps on that side of the street will remain open.
3. Moraga Way from Wells Fargo Bank to the Davis Road intersection will be closed from 10:00 am - 1:00 p.m.
4. A portion of Santa Maria and all of Orinda Way will be closed from 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for the Parade and Community Center .
5. Highway 24 access for both on and off ramps will be available from St. Stephens Drive.

Parking: Street parking will not be available along the parade route on Moraga Way or on Orinda Way. All other street parking is available as well as Orinda BART's west parking lot. For handicapped parking, drivers may drop off people in front of the Community Center on Orinda Way up until 9:00 a.m.

PARADE HISTORY:

Early one morning in the winter of 1984, Dick Heggie, Bill Gross, and Bobbie Landers were sitting in the Orinda Association's cramped office trying to think of a way to get local residents excited about Orinda becoming a city. With local residents dissatisfied with county services, the Orinda Association and several other local residents had begun thinking about incorporation. They needed to find a way to build excitement among locals – a way to bring the community together in a fun way while also educating people to the pros and cons of local city government. As Landers thought back to the hot summers in her home town of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, she remembered how much she used to look forward to her town's 4th of July parade, and why not bring that same sense of togetherness and pride to Orinda. Heggie and Gross concurred and Orinda's 4th of July parade and celebration was born!

The festivities have continued to grow year after year with lots of fun activities for children from a Hot Wheels race to balloon animals to making things at the Home Depot booth. Adults also have plenty to make them smile with several great bands playing throughout the day and a plethora of great food and drinks to enjoy.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.