GREAT AMERICAN 4TH OF JULY KIDS BIKE PARADE

Justin Rudd's 6th annual "Great American 4th of July Bike Parade"; Sat., July 4, 2009 at 10 a.m., 1 Granada Ave. Free Entry. Cash Prizes. Register at the event starting at 9 a.m. Co-sponsored by Rudd's Community Action Team (CAT) and Gazette Newspapers.

UPDATES: Jones Bicycles on 2nd St. (Lisa Genshock, Owner) has donated a beach cruiser that we will give away as a raffle prize ($1/ticket) at the post-parade awards ceremony. Purchase raffle tix at the event. Also, thanks to the Long Beach Wal Marts for donating 16 bikes and three helmets and to the Community Action Team (CAT) via Parkcrest Church for donating even more bikes, 27 helmets, and locks that will be presented to 27 deserving, bike-less youngsters before the parade, so that they can participate. If you can, please bring a case of water or snacks to share with the kids after the parade.

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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

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

FREE PARKING AREA & DRIVING DIRECTIONS
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SPECIAL GUESTS
LBPD bike patrol officers Karen Dougherty and Johnny Dodson; City Manager Pat West; Councilman Gary DeLong.

JUDGES
So far, judges include Marlin Briscoe (former NFL Quarterback for the Miami Dolphins), and Bret Lewis (Sports Announcer for KFWB); Hillary Stortz (Miss Teen Long Beach).

SPECTATORS
Free to spectate. The out-and-back, two-mile parade route travels east along the bike path and continues down Bay Shore Avenue to Second Street. Bring a chair and a cheering section for these youngsters.

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.

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.

SPONSORS
Justin Rudd and his 501c3 nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT), and Gazette Newspapers.




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