The City of Alameda has opened registration to participate in the Alameda Fourth of July Parade.

Alameda’s Fourth of July Parade is the longest in the nation with a route that spans 3.3 miles, attracting more than 170 entries and 2,500 participants. The parade draws more than 60,000 spectators from the region and entries include a full spectrum of Bay Area residents, including equestrians, dance troops, floats, antique cars, community groups, transported and marching bands from both the community and local schools and people of all shapes and sizes.

The entry fee for floats is free for Alameda residents and nonprofit organizations, $50 for Alameda businesses, and $125 for non-Alameda businesses and Political Action Committees. To submit an entry form, visit https://us.openforms.com/Form/542ce238-0776-4043-a5f5-a37e9fce7ff1. Entries will not be accepted after Sunday, June 11.

Volunteers are also welcomed. To volunteer, send an email to alamedajuly4thparade@alamedaca.gov.

The parade is sponsored by Alameda County Industries, Friends of the Alameda Parks, Kiwanis Club of Alameda, West Alameda Business Association, Alameda Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics and Exelixis.

Be prepared to show off your patriotic colors and line the streets along the Parade route.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. Before the parade, the 4K race for the Midway Shelter will take place.

The Parade route will start down Park Street, turning a right at South Shore Center, then turning right on Grand Street, turning left on Encinal Avenue, before ending on Webster Street. Streets will begin closing between 7 and 8 a.m. along the Parade route.

Last year the parade and 5K returned after a two-year hiatus due the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Alameda held an award ceremony for float winners on July 21, 2022 (“https://alamedasun.com/news/city-alameda-announces-4th-july-parade-winners,” July 27, 2022). Alameda Vipers AAU basketball club won first place in the Fourth of July Parade float movement category.

Whisk Cake Creations won the best business float category. The Encinal High School Soarin’ Jets Marching Band won first place in the live music category.

Phil Hebda finished first overall out of more than 1,000 participants in the Alameda Fourth of July 5K Race.