CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Hundreds of patriots, horses, dogs and vehicles last week joined the Carmichael Elks July 4 parade on Fair Oaks Boulevard.

In temperatures 20 degrees cooler than the 106 degrees suffered by parade participants last year, the 65th Elks pageant proceeded on its annual route. Grand marshal was American River College football coach Jon Osterhout.

Elected officials riding in the parade included Congressman Ami Bera, Sacramento County Supervisor Rich Desmond and Carmichael Water District Director Ron Greenwood.

El Camino High School band provided patriotic anthems and pop tunes from a float.

The mounted Sacramento Sheriff’s Posse stole the show this year. Harnesses and hat-bands gleaming, the equestrian team was applauded from every intersection. 

Announcing participants at the review stand was Elks Lodge member Jim Warrick, whose family has run the behemoth pageant for more than six decades.

“I still feel the same excitement about July 4 every year,” said Warrick. “I love to see the community together, celebrating American liberty. We’re grateful Mother Nature was kinder to us than last year. We’re already planning for 2026.”

Carmichael’s civic fireworks display was cancelled this year to allow field improvements at the La Sierra Center. But in advance of the Glorious Fourth, Crossroads Church filled the gap with its annual “Freedom Festival” fireworks. The event brought more than 300 supporters to the church campus.

Carmichael Elks Parade sponsors included the Carmichael Elks Lodge, The Carmichael Times, Realtor Ron Greenwood, Carmichael Water District, All Stage Canine, Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Carmichael Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Gabrielle Rasi (Almond Orchard Dental), California Automobile Museum, Carmichael Improvement District, Kovar’s Karate, John’s Liquor, Blain Stumpf Fencing, Sons of the American Revolution, Kiwanis Club of Carmichael, Congressman Bera, Supervisor Desmond, Victory Christian School, Martin Ross, I Love Pie, El Camino Baptist Church, Elite Motor Details, Treeman, St. John the Evangelist School, Hot Spot Leak Detections, Bish for Congress, Jason Flick, Earthwise Pest and Vietnam Veterans Chapter 500.