Almaden Resident

Community

Photograph by Robert Lacis

Cleaning Up: The men from Upper Puerto Vallarta Lane clean themselves up as part of their bath tub-themed float in the Montevideo Improvement Association's July 4 parade on Camden Avenue. Upper Puerto Vallarta won third place and was voted most original.

Montevideo neighborhood ranks as 'favorite place' for July 4 celebration

By Linda Taaffe

Fourth of July celebrations may be over, but in Almaden Valley's Montevideo neighborhood some residents are already gearing up for next year's community parade--and how to unseat this year's reigning champs from Monteval Lane, who won for their "Life is a Picnic" float.

Every July for the past 39 years, the neighborhood has held a parade that attracts about 250 competitive participants representing different streets in the area. This year was the first time Monteval won the big trophy for its dancing deviled egg, some crafty singing ants and other life-sized picnic fare. Residents celebrated the feat with a series of cheers on their street and some friendly bragging to the losers.

The neighborhood tradition typically attracts six to eight floats and a big group of spectators, some of whom have moved out of the area but return to see the parade.

This year's theme "favorite places" included the usual over-the-top floats, goofy performances and gifts and other bribery at the judge's table at which this writer sat along with four other judges. Former champs Upper Puerto Vallarta Lane rolled up Camden Avenue with a bathtub larger than a Mac truck, singing and dancing to "Rubber Ducky" and with gift bags of soaps, bubbles and ducks for the judges. If that wasn't enough to interest spectators, Monetellano Drive showed up with its own drive-in movie theater, and a line of cars waiting to get in. The Piranhas swim team cooled off in a portable pool with racing lanes and life guards. Even Hawaiian singer Don Ho popped out of an erupting volcano to make a guest appearance from the beyond during Montelban Lane's "Hawaiian" performance. Other floats included a Puerto Vallarta vacation, Family Camp and Beach.

Organizers estimate at least half of the Montevideo Improvement Association's 500 members participate in the parade that traverses seven or eight city blocks beginning at Camden Avenue and Coleman Road each year.

While competitive, the event is meant to foster neighborly relations.