Pen patriotic poetry for parade 40th

The Fourth of July Parade in 2016 will be the 40th anniversary of the annual event, and organizers want to celebrate by involving kids in the festivities. Students who live or attend school in Alameda are eligible to participate in a youth art and poetry contest to celebrate America’s independence with the theme, “America: Let Freedom Ring.”

The contest is now open for entries and will remain open until April 8, when all entries are due. A panel of judges will select first-, second- and third-place entries in each age group for both poetry and for art.
“We are excited to celebrate the 40th anniversary with the addition of the art and poetry contests,” said Barbara Price, volunteer chair.

“I encourage all our students to enter the poetry and art contests,” said Alameda’s Poet Laureate, Julia Park Tracey. “This is an excellent opportunity to try out some creative writing and to artistically share your feelings about America and Alameda for the Fourth of July.” 

Students must be residents of Alameda or a student at an Alameda school. Public, private and homeschooled students are eligible. Entrants must write an original poem or create original artwork for this contest. Details are on the entry forms available on the parade website or through local schools. 

Age Categories
• Kindergarten-second grade
• Third-fifth grades
• Sixth-eighth grades
• Ninth-12th grades

The contest is free to enter. Winning poems will be published and winning poets will ride on a float with the Poet Laureate in the parade; a public reading of the winning poems is planned. Winning artwork will be framed and displayed at a location to be announced and winning artists will ride in the parade.

For more information or to download an entry form, visit www.alamedaparade.com