GREAT AMERICAN 4TH OF JULY KIDS BIKE PARADE

Justin Rudd's 6th annual "Great American 4th of July Kids Bike Parade"; Sat., July 4, 2009 at 10 a.m., 1 Granada Ave. Free Entry. Cash Prizes. Co-sponsored by Rudd's Community Action Team (CAT), Councilman Gary DeLong, Aquarium of the Pacific, Arbor by the Bay, Jones Bikes, Lucky Strike Lanes, and Dean Anthony Men's Salon.

NEW Photo Galleries: 1 | 2
NEW VIDEO: What Matt Lauer said about our parade on the TODAY SHOW; and KTLA-TV Morning News live w/ Gayle Anderson.

FANCY FOURTH OF JULY harbor cruises, spectacular theme park fireworks shows and lavish community parades have nothing on this simple annual event in Long Beach. The city's Fourth of July Bike Parade & Contest has got to make everyone smile and cheer with its old-fashioned appeal as hundreds of local kids decorate their two-wheelers and ride the sunny beach boardwalk. Red, white and blue streamers, crepe paper, balloons and American flags are on display and cash and prizes will be awarded to the top ten young future designers for originality, creativity, spectator appeal, and display of red, white and blue. Parade starts at 10 a.m. on the beach bike path at the end of Granada Ave. in Belmont Shore. --Sheryll Alexander, AOL/Digital City

NEW WIN A BIKE & other door prizes!
Every kid & teen that registers at the parade will be in the drawing to win a full-size bike donated by Jones Bicycles - to be given away during the awards ceremony. Other prizes include tickets to Musical Theatre West's "Wizard of Oz;" sessions at My Gym children's fitness center; Aquarium of the Pacific package 4 tickets, 4 Harbor Cruise tickets, and 4 3D films; and Lucky Strike Lanes group party certificates.

START/FINISH
Meet at the boat launch ramp: 1 S. Granada Ave. (@ Ocean Blvd.), Belmont Shore, Long Beach, 90803. DRIVING DIRECTIONS

GRAND MARSHALS
Councilman Gary DeLong and his daughter Katie. Additionally Long Beach Police officers on bikes will include Officer David Strong and Officer David Keeny.

SPECIAL GUESTS
Miss Long Beach - Lana Luyben
Miss Teen Long Beach - Hillary Stortz

JUDGES
Vice Mayor Bonnie Lowenthal; Shereen Oca, Grunion Gazette; City Manager Pat West; two-time Olympic cyclist Tony Cruz

SPECTATORS
The out-and-back, two-mile parade route travels east along the bike path and continues down Bay Shore Avenue to Second Street.

RULES
Kids are required, by law, to wear helmets and be escorted by a parent or guardian during the parade. By law, motor driven cycles are not allowed on the beach bike path. By law, no dogs on the bike path.

FREE PARKING AND NOSHING TIPS
If you're not close enough to ride to the parade start, enter the parking lot at 1 Granada Ave. and park for free. Or, use the beachfront parking meters that cost a quarter for every 15 minutes. And, there's free parking along Ocean Blvd. Also, Second Street has tons of family-oriented restaurants and is only three blocks from the parade start/finish line.

PRIZES & JUDGING
The Community Action Team (CAT) will award prizes to the top young bicyclists based on the following criteria: display of red, white & blue; originality; creativity; and spectator appeal. The top ten entants will recieve a $10 bill, generously donated by Arbor by the Bay.

REGISTRATION
To pre-register, send your child's name and age to Justin@JustinRudd.com and then just sign the liability waiver when you arrive. You may also register near the parade's starting point beginning at 9:15 on July 4, 2007.

SPONSORS
Justin Rudd and his 501c3 nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT). And, Councilman Gary DeLong, Arbor by the Bay, Dean Anthony Salon.




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