A Sons of the American Revolution contingent struts breeches, tricorn hats and muskets in the Carmichael Elks July 4 Parade.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - They came, they praised, they paraded. A thousand patriots, horses, dogs and vehicles last week boosted the Carmichael Elks July 4 parade to honor 250 years of American independence.

In temperatures that hovered around 90 degrees, the 66th Elks pageant followed its annual route. Grand Marshal was Carmichael Chamber of Commerce President and community sponsor Rosie Buck. The supermom sported a white, pageant-style gown for the ride of honor with husband Jeff and son Archer.

Her chariot was a 1970s Ford Challenger convertible. Other VIPs boarded vintage Mustangs and Cadillacs. A pink Barbie-mobile transported 2026 Honorary Mayor Mike Rockenstein.

“I was amazed by the crowds,” said Buck. “I can’t remember such a big turnout for the date. The special national anniversary inspired so much patriotism. My family and I were thrilled to be in the grand marshal’s car on such a momentous date. For my auto-mechanic husband, an iconic American vehicle was an additional treat. It was the ride of a lifetime for all of us.”

As the hundred-unit pageant crawled from Marconi to Cypress Avenue, El Camino High School musicians provided marches and pop tunes from a float. Iranian percussionists drummed up their own patriotic anthems and Arthur Murray dancers twirled the Katie Perry’s “Firework.”

Leading the procession, the mounted Sacramento Sheriff’s Posse stole the show. Harnesses, hatbands and palomino flanks gleaming, the team was hailed at every intersection.  

Rejoicing at the turnout was Elks Lodge member Jim Warrick, whose family has run the behemoth pageant for more than six decades.

“It was a bigger parade, with more entries than we’ve had in years,” Warrick reported.  “The Sons of the American Revolution alone had a hundred people in their entry. The crowds were enormous.”

“I still feel the same excitement about July 4 every year,” he said.  “I love to see the community together, celebrating American liberty. We’re grateful Mother Nature was so kind to us.”

Carmichael’s civic fireworks display was again cancelled to consolidate turf improvement at the La Sierra Center. The pyrotechnic spectacle is slated to return in 2027.

But in advance of the Glorious Fourth, Crossroads Church filled the gap with its annual “Freedom Festival” and fireworks. The event brought more than 200 supporters to the church campus.

Parade sponsors included: Carmichael Improvement District, Kovar's Karate, All Stage Canine, Carmichael Chamber of Commerce, Almond Orchard Dental, Kiwanis, Rotary, Carmichael Elks Lodge, Victory Christian School, Sons of the American Revolution, St John the Evangelist School, Carmichael Water District, H.D. Plumbing, Landis Landscape, Bonnie Plumbing, Martin Ross, Blain Stumpf Fencing, Daughters of the American Revolution, Carmichael Times, John's Liquor.