A smile, a Votes For Women sash, American flags, and a California Equal Suffrage Association banner.
Early this evening a rally and parade celebrating the ratification of the 19th Amendment were held in Balboa Park. As the sun descended toward the horizon, a small crowd gathered in Sefton Plaza to hear a variety of interesting, often stirring speeches. The speakers portrayed notable women in American history who have worked to further the cause of women’s equal civil rights. Wearing period costumes, the historical personalities included Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul and Eleanor Roosevelt, plus important local San Diegans Dr. Charlotte Baker, our city’s first female practicing physician, and prominent philanthropist and journalist Ellen Browning Scripps. The event was sponsored by the Women’s Museum of California in Point Loma.
Here are a few photos!
Two women head for Sefton Plaza in Balboa Park, where a suffrage rally would celebrate the anniversary of the 19th Amendment.The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on August 18, 1920. It guarantees all American women the right to vote.Historical sign proclaims a woman living here has registered to vote thereby assuming the responsibility of citizenship.In period attire, the person being interviewed played the role of San Diego philanthropist and trailblazer Ellen Browning Scripps during the rally.The woman with the microphone portrayed American suffragist and social activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who wrote many of Susan B. Anthony’s speeches.Many wore historical sashes, hats and costumes to commemorate suffragettes and leaders who have fought for equal women’s rights.One participant reenacted Eleanor Roosevelt, speaking about her life and accomplishments. The statue is of Kate Sessions, one of the founders of Balboa Park.The suffrage parade begins. Participants march toward the heart of Balboa Park, down El Prado and over the Cabrillo Bridge.
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Color guard leads the way during the Coronado Independence Day parade on Orange Avenue.
While this blog post contains a whole bunch of photos, they only represent a small fraction of today’s Independence Day parade in Coronado. This Fourth of July parade is one of the biggest and best in the nation. Coronado is about as apple pie as a town can get, as it’s home to two very important military bases: Naval Air Station North Island and the Naval Amphibious Base.
Before the parade began, I walked about checking out the sights, smells and sounds. Hopefully I captured a bit of the experience with these photographs…
Welcome to Coronado . . . A Star Spangled Summer!I believe these runners raced earlier in the Crown City Classic that started and ended at Tidelands Park, a few blocks away.Almost everyone I saw was wearing clothing or costumes befitting a Fourth of July celebration!Someone wrote on the sidewalk with chalk: Happy Fourth of July!Tent in front of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Orange Avenue was raising money selling parade-worthy treats.The Lions Club had a stand at Spreckels Park near the center of patriotic Coronado.People check out art on display in Spreckels Park.What could be more American than tossing a baseball while waiting for the big parade to begin?A shop window had a dog with a red, white and blue bow!Humans and canines were all decked out for the occasion!And what could be more American than a hot dog? A hot dog draped by a flag!The businesses along Orange Avenue had all sorts of Independence Day wares and decorations outside.There is no greater love than this: That a person would lay down his life for his friends.Kids with flags follow a big wagon full of lawn chairs, as the parade is almost ready to start.Finishing touches are put on the poop circles. Should a horse poop in your chalk circle, you win a special prize!Tens of thousands are ready now along the entire length of Coronado. I think I hear the distant parade approaching.Actually, it’s the pre-parade entertainment. These performers are swirling and dancing to the delight of the crowd!A colorful costume gets onlookers in the mood for a big, fun parade.These guys are the Emilio Wallace Panamanian Marching Band of California!The official parade has begun. The Escondido Mounted Posse carries flags.Red, white and blue flowery carts are pulled by miniature horses!The Grand Marshall this year was Vice Admiral Thomas Rowden, Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.And here comes the San Diego County tax collector, waving cheerfully to all!Beautifully groomed long-tailed horses and a poodle strut their stuff down the parade route.A color guard precedes honored Pearl Harbor survivors.A veteran who served during Pearl Harbor. He and other fellow heroes received the loudest applause all day.A Pearl Harbor survivor waves to the crowd. Many were shouting “Thank You”.Applause for the Pearl Harbor survivors as they pass on by for the Fourth of July.Here comes the Marine Corps band!An American military veteran rides his motorcycle down Orange Avenue.Gold Star Mothers, with signs of loved ones killed in action. The people of Coronado understand that defending freedom can require sacrifice.Wounded Warriors are welcomed home.Remembering our local fallen. Some gave all.San Diego Young Marines march. A future generation of heroes.An avenue of proud, billowing flags.Reenacting raising the flag at Iwo Jima, The United States Marine Corps War Memorial.San Diego heroes carry a large American flag.Here come the Valley Center Rodeo Queens on horseback.Welcome Home Seth. Your country thanks you.Welcome Home Rodger. Our returning warrior.Cool old cars from the Avenue of Heroes.Now that’s an antique.Of course, the big parade includes the Wells Fargo stagecoach.Even the Coronado Lawn Bowling Club was a part of the big Independence Day parade.Meet the canine Vice Mayor of Coronado. I’m not sure which dog is the Mayor.It’s the Castle Park High School marching band.Some medieval knights did battle on the parade route. Seems one has emerged the victor.Pink flamingos greet the crowd. I wonder if they wandered over here from the Marriott Coronado Resort’s flamingo pond.Coronado is one of the most patriotic places you’ll find. Naval Air Station North Island and the Naval Amphibious Base where Seals train are located here.An unrestored FJ-3 Fury from the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at MCAS Miramar was towed to Coronado for the parade!Historic fighter jet heads down Orange Avenue as Fourth of July parade onlookers honor the troops.
Kids wave at Star Wars stormtrooper and TIE fighter pilot at the Coronado Independence Day parade!
I spent the morning in Coronado. I’ve always wanted to see their huge Independence Day parade, reputed to be one of the very best in America. (And I believe it! I’ll be posting a bunch of pics later–I’ve got a lot of photos to go through!)
One of the biggest sensations of the parade was created when a bunch of San Diego Star Wars Society members passed down the length of Orange Avenue, engaging in elaborate cosplay. Talk about cool! It’s like Comic-Con started early!
San Diego Stars Wars Society members engaged in elaborate cosplay for Coronado’s Fourth of July parade!Imperial stormtrooper rides a Segway, an advanced land vehicle from the early 21st century.A biker scout trooper clears a path for the San Diego Star Wars Society with a flag-festooned, red, white and blue patriotic motorcycle!The Dark Force seems to have a big following. But don’t be alarmed. Some fearless Jedi Knights have arrived!An army of white-armored clones marches down a very crowded Orange Avenue in Coronado. The parade featured a fantastic variety of cool sights.Kids have a whole lot of fun as costumed Star Wars enthusiasts participate in the Coronado Independence Day parade.
The Salvation Army marching band parades around County of San Diego Waterfront Park.
Almost everyone recognizes their red shield. Most have walked past their holiday season bell ringers. Many have been helped by their programs and services. The Salvation Army, an important part of our community, is 150 years old.
The local branch of the worldwide organization celebrated that history today in the County of San Diego Waterfront Park. I walked there this morning to see what was going on.
What does the Salvation Army do? In San Diego, their Sierra Del Mar Division provides transitional living for homeless mothers and children. They help the unemployed homeless return to a normal, stable, working life. They have disaster response programs, providing emergency food and help. They provide seniors with nutritional assistance. They help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction. They operate the expansive Ray and Joan Kroc Community Corps Center, which features education, recreation and family support programs. They do a whole lot of good. While The Salvation Army is a Christian organization, everybody is welcome. None are turned away.
As I approached the park, I was surprised and pleased to see a dignified parade coming down the sidewalk…
150 years of community service is being celebrated by The Salvation Army.Drums, banners, uniforms and kids stepping proudly down the San Diego sidewalk.The modest parade ends in the waterfront park, where music, fun and fellowship begin.A speech kicks off the event. The Salvation Army helps the homeless, the poor, the suffering around the world.Coffee is served from rear of an emergency disaster services vehicle.This friendly lady provided some info about the popular Christian charitable organization.A gathering in the park celebrates 150 years of doing the most good.
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Child gives potted plant to spectator during floral wagon parade in Balboa Park.
It was a memorable day in Balboa Park!
To celebrate its centennial, San Diego’s historic Balboa Park is throwing a number of special events this year. Today our beautiful park was the scene of the Garden Party of the Century. And what a party it was!
As the title suggests, the emphasis was on gardening and the many incredible gardens of our world-class urban park. Spring flowers filled every corner, and lots of people came out to enjoy excellent exhibits. A unique parade also took place, as you’ll see in the following photographs.
The event’s main ceremony involved Marines from San Diego’s Marine Corps Recruit Depot, which is perhaps a mile (or two) from the park. The Marines played an instrumental role during the early days of Balboa Park, which was created for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The mere presence of a Marine camp inside the large park back then eventually helped to preserve many of the wonderful old Spanish Colonial Revival-style buildings visitors marvel at today.
Many tents with horticulture exhibits were around Balboa Park for the Garden Party of the Century. Some can be seen next to the Botanical Building.These friendly folks explained that dahlia blooms can be as large as fourteen inches!Displays concerning gardening were front and center during the special Balboa Park Centennial event.These master gardeners showed me what a ladybird larva looks like! (It’s the critter on the right.)There were lots of flower arrangements and botany-themed art throughout the park!It’s still early in the morning, so some exhibitors are still setting up near the reflecting pool.This super cool lady talked to me about the work of the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department.Smiling lady from the San Diego Epiphyllum Society.Lots of plants were for sale in the park, including on the Casa del Prado patio.Ducks and baby ducklings were swimming about the lily pads in the Balboa Park reflecting pool!Sign shows the way to the Rose Garden across Park Boulevard.One example of Balboa Park’s Adopt-A-Plot volunteer gardening program. This plot is in Sefton Plaza.A photo I took this morning of beautiful flower beds in the Alcazar Garden.Another exhibitor near the huge Moreton Bay Fig Tree and Natural History Museum has a cool trash can painted with flowers and a bee.The Navy was showcasing its environmental programs.Marines cross street in front of the Casa del Prado Theater.The floral wagon parade was staged in a parking lot by the Balboa Park carousel.Musicians stand ready for the beginning of the big parade through Balboa Park.San Diego’s own Fern Street Circus has gathered for the parade holding colorful banners.Other performers from the Fern Street Circus wait a bit further down the parade route for the spectacle to begin.The Garden Party of the Century Parade is underway and turning onto El Prado!Kids, families, wagons and flowers. An overcast day after our recent stormy weather.Here come drummers and a flag down the festive parade route!Look at the boldly colored dresses and fantastic costumes!Here come some lush, wonderful floral wagons.Garden Party of the Century parade turns the corner and heads down El Prado toward Plaza de Panama.Flower-laden wagons pass in front of ornate Casa del Prado facade.A bee is followed by a beekeeper!The parade approaches the reflecting pool as it passes booths that line El Prado.This lady in an elegant old-fashioned dress was handing out goodies to the watching crowd.A painter in Balboa Park gets an eyeful as the parade passes by.Uncle Sam and lots of other happy San Diegans.Dr. Seuss seems to be a favorite author of the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department!The cool parade finally reaches the spacious Plaza de Panama in front of the San Diego Museum of Art.A second parade nears! Marines from San Diego’s MCRD march down El Prado for a special ceremony.The band leads the way as marchers from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot enter Plaza de Panama.The Marines played an important role in Balboa Park’s beginning, and are duplicating their march from 100 years ago!Marines stand at attention. The San Diego mayor, MCRD commandant and other dignitaries spoke during the special Balboa Park Centennial event.Civilian and military bystanders look on as a memorable San Diego event is taking place.Proudly marching Marines head west down El Prado toward California Tower and Museum of Man.Marines start across the Cabrillo Bridge to reproduce a famous photograph from one hundred years ago!
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Saint Patrick was seen in downtown San Diego banishing snakes and frowns.
A long, warm, wonderful walk today filled my trusty old camera with lots of photos! First up: some fun images from San Diego’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Last year I took pics up and down Sixth Avenue (just west of Balboa Park) where the parade was staged, and this morning I did exactly the same thing. Predictably, cool sights were everywhere my eyes turned!
This smiling gentleman is dressed in the uniform of the Knights of Columbus.Crowd gathers early before the big St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off.Lots of dogs were wearing the green this morning.Green hats and fun festive stuff on the grass by the sidewalk.Shriner mini cars are always a popular part of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.These clowns are relaxing in the shade as a sunny San Diego day heats up.This cool old Ambulance and Patrol vehicle awaits start of parade.The distinctive Shriners float doesn’t look Irish to me, except for a bit of green!The Best-Rate Repair Company float is making its first appearance this year.This guy in a traditional kilt will be playing the bagpipes for everyone to enjoy.Marching band instruments lie on the grass before start of the St. Paddy’s parade.The Academy of Irish Dance gets their elaborate float ready.These super nice San Diego Roller Derby ladies posed for my camera!Motorcyclist in green heads down Sixth Avenue where the parade is staging.These cool old-fashioned penny-farthing bicycles will take part in the parade.Everybody was busy getting ready as the 10:30 morning start approached.Serviceman helps affix some Irish green to the front bumper of a car.The Young Marines were carefully folding a large American flag as I walked down Sixth Avenue.A smiling Irish clown perfectly captures the spirit of this wonderful annual event.
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Balloons of every color rise and bob above costumed handlers.
I headed down to the Embarcadero a good hour before the start of today’s 2014 Big Bay Balloon Parade. I hoped to capture some fun balloon pics. I succeeded!
The staging area, where the amazing, colorful balloons were being inflated, appeared like a vision in a wonderful dream, with gigantic faces and forms swaying high in the sky. It seemed as if they’d become magically alive!
These photos were taken in a large parking lot north of the County Administration Building. The Big Bay Balloon Parade, held every year in San Diego shortly before the Holiday Bowl, proceeded south on Harbor Drive and ended at Seaport Village.
Tourists pass staging area for San Diego’s 2014 Big Bay Balloon Parade.This is the nation’s largest balloon parade. The event is held just before the Holiday Bowl.Costumed balloon handlers enter a fantastic world of huge smileys and ice cream cones.A giant traditional Christmas nutcracker tips a bit in the San Diego sea breeze.This big inflatable American flag will be part of the upcoming parade.Cool! A favorite toy when I was a kid! I see Mr. Potato Head!Balloons fill the blue sky, and so does a penguin in a tuxedo.Are those gigantic pinatas? They must contain lots of candy!Preparation for the parade includes unrolling something wrinkly near an octopus.This colorful mess is destined to transform into a delightful big balloon!Happy bumble bee billows as it’s filled with helium in parade staging area.USS Midway Museum had a lighter-than-air jet fighter.Happiness is super-sized like a wonderful waking dream.Fun, happy childhood stuff flying all over the place. Marvelous mayhem!
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Meb Keflezighi, San Diego hero, is Grand Marshall of 2014 Big Bay Balloon Parade.
San Diego sports hero Meb Keflezighi seems superhuman when compared to most of us ordinary mortals. Meb’s long-distance running accomplishments are truly legendary. He has been 3-time national champion in cross country, Olympic silver medalist in the marathon, and winner of both the New York City and Boston Marathons. (What’s more, Meb is a terrific human being, who happened to graduate from San Diego High School, about a mile from where I now sit!) But as thousands of onlookers witnessed, even our biggest world-class heroes sometimes need a helping hand!
Meb was chosen to be Grand Marshall of today’s 2014 Big Bay Balloon Parade, a fun event held on San Diego’s Embarcadero in conjunction with the upcoming Holiday Bowl. (He also presided over a 5K run just beforehand.) Meb rode on the parade’s leading float to great applause. But his ride turned out to be somewhat unusual. Some leg muscle was required…
Elite long-distance runner Meb Keflezighi speaks to 5K race participants before parade.Meb watches first wave of Bumble Bee 5K run, a special Holiday Bowl-related event.These guys might not be Meb, but they are giving the race their best effort!Meb awaits start of Big Bay Balloon Parade on the Forever Young float.But the float’s motor doesn’t work! Guys have to push it down the parade route!
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A big crowd gathers for the 2014 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals in San Diego!
Breaking news! Wienerschnitzel’s 2014 Wiener Nationals were held today on San Diego’s beautiful Embarcadero! The big race was witnessed by thousands just prior to the Holiday Bowl-related Big Bay Balloon Parade. This year’s wiener dog champ was none other than fan favorite Mr. Schnitzel!
I did my very best to cover the action. Unfortunately, mere bloggers like me had to witness the wonderfully funny dog race from a bit of a distance.
This dachshund participant seems very shy when faced with a news camera.A huge silver championship trophy awaits the winner of this race!One dog during the practice session limbers up by chasing a bouncing ball.This highly-trained wiener dog race contestant is ready to roll!Mr. Schnitzel had a fan with signs. He’s going to kick buns!Furthermore, Mr. Schnitzel cuts the mustard! He must be quite a hot dog.This sign accurately foretold the race results. No other wieners could ketchup!And here’s the start to the final race that determined the four-legged national champ!his little guy is doggone tired after that big important race.Time to clear stuff away to prepare for the Big Bay Balloon Parade down Harbor Drive!
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Boy dressed as tin man enjoys Boulevard BOO! Parade in San Diego.
I’ve heard about San Diego’s only Halloween parade for years. Today I checked it out!
The Boulevard BOO! Parade is now ten years old. It takes place every late October on El Cajon Boulevard near College Avenue. The neighborhood, just south of San Diego State University, appears to have really embraced this annual Halloween event!
Hundreds of families turned out to view the fun spectacle. The BOO! Parade is mostly for kids, and many young spectators had trick-or-treat bags and were in costume themselves!
Here are my best pics!
10th annual BOO! Parade took place on El Cajon Boulevard.Two scary zombie kids were seen lurching down the street before the parade began.These pirates were being rascally and rambunctious in the parade staging area!BOO! Parade kicks off a few blocks west of College Avenue in the late morning.
The tall ghostly blue creature is the character Boo!
Super tall Boo is blue, and he seems to blend in with the clouds.Looks like all the regular monsters have shown up for this big Halloween parade!There were a few not-so-scary clowns around, too!Marine Corps marching band gets things rolling near start of parade.One of many creative floats seen during the fun late October parade.Two different Ghostbusters cars were in the parade.Kids get goodies from a ghostbuster patrolling El Cajon Boulevard.Costumed parade participants from San Diego Center for the Blind.Here come some smiling SDSU cheerleaders.The San Diego State University mascot Aztec Warrior gives a high five!Lots of cars in the parade were draped with creepy cobwebs.Kids marching in the parade wore every sort of cool costume you can imagine!Here comes a long line of classic cars with spooky decorations.A witch waves to a passing skeleton!The San Diego Police Department must be hiring guys with evil pumpkin heads!One of two pirate ships I saw. This was most definitely very cool.Little zombies do a dance routine!Several schools were in the parade and everyone was having a blast.Here come the Shriners in their Halloween-themed mini-cars!And here come more clowns out of the woodwork.The second pirate ship rolls along with some waving beauty queens.A beauty queen is wearing a big, golden pharaoh headdress!I suppose these young ladies are the queens of Zombieland!And this beauty queen is dressed up as macaroni and cheese!Looks like the ROTC is recruiting young monsters.Headless parader thrills girls and shocks poor old mom.A whole lot of fun was enjoyed by thousands today, young and old.Utility box on El Cajon Boulevard painted with scenes from BOO! Parade.
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